About the Laws | sicktime.org

Paid Sick Time...It's Now the Law.

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about
the Laws.ABOUT THE LAWS.

Who qualifies for paid sick time?

Most people working in the City of Chicago or the Cook County suburbs* who have been on the job for 6 months or more, and who work at least 80 hours within a 120-day period, are entitled to paid sick time. It doesn’t matter the size of the company or if you work full-time or part-time—you qualify for paid sick time.

There are a few categories of employees who are excluded from these ordinances.
See the FAQs page for more information.

How is sick time earned?

For every 40 hours you work, you can earn 1 hour of sick time to be used in the future. Workers can earn up to 40 hours/5 paid sick days a year.

160 hours worked = half of a paid sick day (4 hours)
320 hours worked = 1 full paid sick day (8 hours)

When can sick time be used?

Paid sick time may be used when you or a family member is sick, for routine doctor’s visits, when you or a family member is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or when schools or workplaces are closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency, which could include a weather emergency.

Your earned paid sick days can be used during the COVID-19 global pandemic to care for yourself or a sick family member, if your place of business is closed because of COVID-19, or because of the closure of a child's school or place of care because of COVID-19.

Employers can’t fire or threaten you if you request paid sick time. And they can’t make you find a replacement.

Notifying your employer.

If you know in advance that you are going to use paid sick time (such as for a doctor’s appointment), your employer can require up to 7 days notice before using the paid sick day. If you need to take a paid sick day suddenly, your employer may require notice as soon as possible before the start of your shift.

If you use sick time for more than 3 consecutive workdays, your boss can require a document signed by a licensed health care provider.

Work in the Cook County suburbs?

Some Cook County suburbs* have voted to opt-out of the Paid Sick Time law, denying working people this important right.

If the community where you work or live has voted to opt out, call or email the Mayor and Council members and urge them to honor paid sick time.

More Questions? View our Frequently Asked Questions.

Some Cook County suburbs have voted to opt-out of the Paid Sick Time laws, denying working people this important right.

To see if the suburb where you work requires Paid Sick Time, click here. You can also call the Town Hall of the suburb where you work.

The Coalition.The Coalition.

The Paid Sick Time Chicago Coalition is a partnership of community, public health, faith, women’s advocacy, and labor organizations that worked to pass paid sick time laws in the City of Chicago and Cook County*.