Legislation that
would set up a paid family leave insurance program, funded by employees, passed
out of the House Labor Committee this week.
HB 166 (Flowers) is
modeled after California and New Jersey, the only two states that have such a
program. It sets up a state run
“insurance” program and is funded by a $2.50 monthly payroll tax paid for by
employees. In turn, those employees who qualify,
may take up to six weeks of paid family leave up to $300 per week.
As introduced, HB
166 excludes those employers who have fewer than 50 employees. However, the sponsor of the bill has
indicated she wants to remove that exemption.
The bill is aimed
at providing paid family leave for workers to take time off to care for a new
child or a sick family member.
NFIB State Director
Kim Maisch testified against the bill in committee, citing the additional
burden this will cause small employers and concern that the fund will run out
of money and lawmakers will look for employers to start paying.
On the other side
of the Capitol, a paid sick leave mandate was being debated.
In the Senate
Executive Committee, State Senator Toi Hutchinson held a subject-matter hearing
on her bill that would require employers to provide 7 days of paid sick leave
to all employees. The paid sick days would accrue at the rate of one hour of
paid sick time for every 30 hours worked up to the maximum of 56 hours (or 7
days) of paid sick time. This would
pertain to all employers regardless of size.
NFIB/Illinois
Assistant State Director Mark Grant testified in committee as to the excessive
cost and burden this type of mandate would place on small employers.
The bill, SB 1836,
remains in committee.
