Paid Leave for All Workers

In March 2023, Illinois enacted the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which requires most Illinois

employers to provide their employees with up to 40 hours per year of paid leave for any reason. The

Illinois Department of Labor has issued answers to frequently asked questions about the law, which

takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Covered Employers

The law applies to all Illinois employers, except:

• Public school and park districts (private schools are not exempt); and

• Employers covered by a municipal or county paid leave law in effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Notably, Chicago and Cook County have paid leave laws. However, employers located in a municipality

that has opted out of a local paid leave are covered by the new state-wide paid leave law.

The law covers state and local governments and their political subdivisions and agencies.

Covered Employees

The law covers all employees who work in Illinois, except:

• Short-term employees of higher education institutions;

• Temporary part-time student workers at the college or university they attend;

• Collectively bargained construction workers (defined broadly and including workers who

move materials to and from the job site and on the job site, plow or remove snow, and

collect refuse);

• Collectively bargained delivery workers; and

• Railroad workers covered by the federal Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act or the

Railway Labor Act.

The law does not affect or change bona fide collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in effect on Jan. 1,

2024. After that date, the paid leave law requirements may be waived in CBAs, but only if the waiver is

set forth explicitly in the CBA.

The law covers part-time, full-time and seasonal employees, and all domestic workers as defined by

state law.

ISDS is an approved continuing education (CE) sponsor in the State of Illinois. Courses offered by ISDS, including this one, are approved for CE credit under the Illinois Dental Practice Act for license renewals, including both dentists and dental hygienists.