Reminder to Chicago Employers: Chicago Paid Leave Law to Take Effect July 1, 2024

Just a friendly reminder that Chicago’s new Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance goes into effect on July 1, 2024. The Ordinance guarantees up to 5 days of paid leave and 5 days of paid sick leave for all of Chicago’s workers for employees who work at least 80 hours within any 120-day period. Below, we highlight key provisions in the final rules that employers should keep in mind while updating their paid leave policies in anticipation of the July 1 compliance date.

Under the Paid Leave requirements:

  • Employees accrue at a rate of 1 hour of paid leave for every 35 hours worked (up to 40 hours in a 12-month period)
  • Employees must be allowed to use accrued paid leave no later than on the 90th day following the commitment of employment
  • Employees can carry over up to 16 hours between 12-month periods (if paid leave is not front loaded).
  • Employees can use paid leave for any reason

Under the Paid Sick and Safe Leave requirements:

  • Employees accrue at a rate of 1 hour of sick leave for every 35 hours worked (up to 40 hours in a 12-month period)
  • Employees must be allowed to use accrued sick leave no later than on the 30th day following the commitment of employment
  • Employees can carry over up to 80 hours between 12-month periods
  • Employees can use paid sick leave for medical and safety reasons