by Pautsch, Spognardi & Baiocchi Legal Group LLP
Pautsch, Spognardi & Baiocchi Legal Group is an IMA member labor relations attorney…
Effective July 1, 2017, the City of Chicago Paid Leave Ordinance took effect, providing for 40 hours of paid leave accrual for covered employees of covered employers. The City has issued its final rules governing the ordinance which provide guidance on grant v. accrual of leave; eligibility; carry over of leave; FMLA carry over of leave; notice requirements; record keeping requirements; and complaint procedures. To the extent the ordinance conflicts with Cook County’s ordinance or its rules, the City’s rules apply. The City also raised its minimum wage to $11 per hour.
A similar county ordinance went into effect for Cook Co. on July 1, which issued its final rules on June 1. Cook Co. also raised its minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 per hour. To date, approximately 93 of 134 villages and cities in Cook County have opted out of the ordinance believing it to be bad policy. Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin has threatened a lawsuit against those municipalities that have opted out of the sick leave ordinance and minimum wage hike.
When 70% of the cities and towns in Cook Co. opt out of an ordinance based upon the concerns of their business community, the ordinance is a bad one. Suffredin’s disregard for home rule and his planned lawsuit reflect his dictatorial character, and explain why Illinois businesses are leaving the state.
For more information, visit www.psb-consulting.com.
