On July 1, 2017, Chicago’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance and Cook County’s Earned Sick Leave Ordinance go into effect, requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to covered employees. (A detailed description of each ordinance’s requirements may be found here) In addition to providing paid sick leave, employers must provide notice to employees of their rights under the law.

Cook County recently published a poster that employers may use to satisfy the notice requirements, as well as final interpretative and procedural rules to guide employers. The City of Chicago has not yet published its poster but has issued proposed rules. The comment period on the city’s proposed rules expires on June 16, 2017.

Employers should be aware that several cities, towns and villages within Cook County have opted out of the county’s Earned Sick Leave Ordinance and employers within these jurisdictions need not comply with the new law. Employers are encouraged to contact their local governing board to confirm whether compliance is required.