On November 9, 2023, the City Council of Chicago passed a substantial legislation regulating paid leave policies, named the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) – providing a new landscape for companies and workers alike in the Windy City. The Ordinance is expected to take effect on the last day of 2023, December 31. It will replace the existing Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance.
Similar to the soon-to-be-obsolete ordinance it is set to replace, the new legislation, as noted by Littler, will continue to allow employees in the city to accrue up to 40 hours of Paid Sick Leave during each 12-month period.
Moreover, the Ordinance develops a framework for Paid Leave, expanding its coverage beyond the scope of the current Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. It is anticipated that this more inclusive approach towards employee leave will have a notable effect on businesses and employees in the city.
As the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance will be coming into effect at the end of 2023, legal professionals and corporate stakeholders need to be aware of the changes, its wider implications and prepare accordingly for potential impact on labor and employment laws and practices.