Since last year, Illinois employers have seen a drastic change in the paid leave landscape, with the enactment of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act and the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance. Now, it’s Chicago’s turn.

The Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, which we wrote about after its passage last November and subsequent amendment and delay in December, will take effect on July 1, 2024. The new ordinance will bring sweeping changes to the leave requirements and obligations of Chicago employers. Employers should review their policies now so that they are prepared when the ordinance takes effect.

Now that the City of Chicago has published its final rules for the ordinance (bringing welcome clarity to some issues, but leaving many employer questions still unanswered), employers should expect the ordinance to take effect in its current form without any further changes.