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The Illinois Time to Care Coalition is urging state lawmakers to
pass the Family & Medical Leave Insurance Act, which would create a
statewide insurance program that allows workers to use up to 26
weeks of paid leave.
"The federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which passed 30 years
ago, was an important advancement for working families, but that
only provides unpaid leave, and not all working people qualify,”
said Sarah Labadie, director of Advocacy and Policy for Women
Employed. “Thirty years later, 62% of Illinois families cannot take
the unpaid leave they need without risking their jobs or their
economic security. It’s past time to change that.”
Under the proposed legislation, workers could use their paid,
job-protected leave for several reasons, including to welcome a new
child, to maintain a pregnancy, due to a public health emergency, or
due to school or child care closures.
With a contribution from employers, supporters said the Family and
Medical Leave Insurance Act would allow employees to earn more than
half their weekly wage while on leave, with low-paid workers earning
up to 90% of their weekly wage.
“It's really disheartening that the General Assembly would even
consider proposing additional leave benefits after they just passed
mandated paid leave a little more than a month ago,” National
Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Chris
Davis told the The Center Square.
Davis said the legislation would place a burden on small businesses
around Illinois.
“Not only pay an employee while they’re out not working for a
business, but in addition, potentially have to pay an employee
temporarily to fill in that gap,” said Davis.
Eleven states and the District of Columbia have paid family and
medical leave laws.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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