City Law Mandates Paid Sick Leave for Employees Working in Chicago

Chicago recently joined the ranks of other cities that require some form of paid sick leave for employees working in the City. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2017. The new law requires covered companies to provide eligible employees with up to 40 hours paid leave in every 12 month period (accruing 1 hour for every 40 hours worked).

Eligible employees are those that:

1. perform at least two hours of work for a covered employer while physically present within the geographic boundaries of the City in any particular two-week period; and

2. work at least 80 hours for a covered employer in any 120-day period.

   Employees can use paid sick leave for their own illness, injuries, or medical care (including preventive care) or for the illness, injuries, or medical care of certain covered family members. The Ordinance defines “family member” broadly to include a child, legal guardian or ward, spouse under the laws of any state, domestic partner, parent, the parent of a spouse or domestic partner, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or any other individual related by blood or whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship. The definition of “family member” also includes step- and foster relationships. Additionally, employees can use paid sick leave if either the employee or a family member is a victim of domestic violence or a sex offense.