Cook County, Illinois, has passed significant changes to its Sick Leave Ordinance, shifting it to the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance.
Effective December 31, 2023, the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance will ensure employees in Cook County:
- Earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked for their employer in Cook County; and
- Can use paid leave for any reason of the employee’s choosing.
The County’s Earned Sick Leave Ordinance previously outlined conditions during which earned sick leave could be used (e.g., when an employee or a family member is ill, receiving medical care, etc.). Paid leave, by contrast, can be used for any reason, providing more flexibility to employees in Cook County to take time off. This change also aligns with the State of Illinois’ Paid Leave for All Workers Act.
