The arrival of each New Year usually brings amendments, new provisions, and legal updates that employers across Illinois are expected to learn about and comply with. Many Chicago employment attorneys draft notifications to their clients before New Year’s Eve and once again in January to ensure that they know about changes to labor laws and regulatory compliance; for 2024, an outstanding topic in this regard is the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance passed by the Board of Commissioners in mid-December 2023.
If you already know about the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA), understanding the new paid leave provisions for Cook County is easy because the ordinance is essentially the same. In essence, all private sector employees who work full-time shifts or part-time are covered as long as their workplace or reporting office is in Cook County. Construction workers who belong to unions that adhere to collective bargaining agreements are not covered.
Cook County workers can now earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked. The maximum accrual is up to 40 hours per year. This is paid time off (PTO) that human resources and payroll departments can manage like vacation days or sick leave. There are, however, specific recordkeeping provisions that HR managers should follow. It is important to note that the new ordinance must provide evidence of PTO hours accrued upon request by employers.
Want to know more about the new paid leave rules and how they apply to Cook County employers? Contact the seasoned Chicago employment attorneys North Suburban Legal Services LLC.
