Illinois: Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave

Employers can take a momentary deep breath now that the Chicago City Council voted to delay the city’s new paid leave ordinance, which was supposed to take effect at the end of the month. The ordinance would have required Chicago employers to comply with one of the country’s most generous paid time off (PTO) laws in just seven weeks. After a December 13 vote, however, Chicago employers will now have until the summer to modify their PTO policies.  For now, you should continue to comply with the current version of the Chicago paid sick leave ordinance and start preparing for the new requirements to take effect on July 1, 2024. Additionally, you should note that the ordinance was amended in a few key ways.
Chicago Employers Get Temporary Relief: City Council Delays New Paid Leave Ordinance Until July 1
Fisher Phillips | Dec 2023

Chicago Enacts Sweeping New Paid Leave Ordinance
Baker Hostetler via SHRM | Nov 2023

Effective date: 12/31/23
Text of the measure.
Draft of Proposed Rules

Additional Law Firm Articles

Draft Rules for Chicago’s Expansive Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Published
Benesch | Dec 2023

The new ordinance applies to all employees who perform at least two hours of work in a two-week period while physically present the City of Chicago.
Preparing for Chicago's New Paid Leave Requirements: Answers to Your Top 5 Questions
Fisher Phillips | Nov 2023

Employers may adopt reasonable policies requiring prior notice, not to exceed seven days, of use for both paid leave and paid sick leave, where applicable. Employers may also reasonably require preapproval for the use of paid leave.
City of Chicago Expands Paid Leave for Employees in New Ordinance
Ogletree | Nov 2023

The new law alters the existing city sick leave requirement creating two separate categories for required paid time off– five general paid leave days and five paid sick leave days. Adding complications for employers, the varying types of leave will have different rules for initial eligibility, minimum usage, rollover and payout upon termination.
Changes to Chicago's Paid Leave Ordinance May Prove Challenging for Chicago Businesses
Quarles & Brady | Nov 2023

Employer Coverage:  The Ordinance applies to any person who employs at least one employee. However, certain substantive obligations differ depending on whether an employer is a "Small Employer" (50 or fewer employees), "Medium Employer" (51-100 employees), or an employer who is neither based on the size of its workforce.
Chicago Enacts Novel Dual Paid Sick Leave / Paid Time Off Law
Seyfarth | Nov 2023