We recently won paid leave for short-term needs in Illinois and in Chicago. Learn more about your new rights!
Paid Family and Medical Leave Supports
At some point, nearly everyone needs time to recover from a serious illness, care for a sick loved one, or welcome a new child. But 62% of Illinois families cannot even take the unpaid leave they need without risking their jobs or their economic security.
The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act would enable working people to meet their health and caregiving needs, benefit businesses, reduce economic inequality and improve economic opportunities for all.
Paid family and medical leave can transform the economy, the workforce, and lives.
The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act creates a state-run insurance program that allows Illinois workers to use up to 26 weeks of job-protected leave a year:
• To welcome a new child into the home;
• To maintain a healthy pregnancy;
• For their own or a family member’s illness;
• For reasons related to domestic or sexual violence;
• For reasons related to military service;
• Due to a public health emergency or disaster;
• Due to school or child care closures.
See the research on the positive impact of paid family and medical leave.
With a contribution from employers of less than 1% of wages, employees can earn more than half their weekly wage while on leave, with low-paid workers earning up to 90% of their weekly wage.
Eleven states and the District of Columbia have paid family and medical leave laws on the books.
By passing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, Illinois could join them.
See how the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act would impact communities throughout the state.