Paid Sick and Safe Leave Policy
(Chicago)

Summary

This template is a paid sick and safe leave policy that sets forth employees' entitlement to sick and all-purpose leave in Chicago under the new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and alternate and optional clauses. On November 9th, 2023, the city of Chicago passed a new sick and safe leave ordinance. The new version of the ordinance entitles employees to an additional 40 hours of paid leave per 12-months for any reason on top of the 40 hours per 12-months of paid sick leave employees were entitled to under the older version. Although the state of Illinois also passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, this act is preempted by municipal or county ordinances already in effect on January 1st, 2024. Nearly all aspects of the new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance will be effective on July 1, 2024. There are notice requirements in the new Ordinance that became effective on December 31, 2023. See Leave Law (Chicago/Cook County) — Sick Leave — Required Notices and Records. However, the new Chicago ordinance may be preempted by a valid collective bargaining agreement. You must post a copy of this policy at the business facility. There are no posting requirements for employers who do not maintain a facility in Chicago. Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. It is intended for private employers. For a non-jurisdictional employee handbook, see Employee Handbook. The template's language has been customized to comply with Illinois, Chicago, and federal law. As a result, it differs from the non-jurisdictional Paid Sick Leave Policy (with Acknowledgment). For a full listing of key content covering leaves for employees, see Leaves for Employees Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For more information on Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County laws concerning paid sick leave, see Leave Law (IL), Leave Law (Chicago/Cook County), and Paid Sick Leave State and Local Law Survey (Private Employers). For more information on drafting paid sick leave policies, see Sick Leave Policies: Key Drafting Tips, Paid Sick Leave Policies Checklist (Best Drafting Practices for Employers), Paid Time Off (PTO) Policies: Key Drafting Tips, and Attendance, Time-Off, and Leave of Absence Policies: Best Drafting and Administration Practices.