Paid Leave Ordinance and Regulations

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Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance

Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance

As of December 31, 2023, the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance requires that all employers with employees in Cook County provide those employees with at least one (1) hour of paid leave for every forty (40) hours worked which can be used for any reason. The Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance does not require the creation of a new type of leave for employers. It establishes the floor or minimum amount of paid time off employees in Cook County are entitled to. 

If, as an employer, you currently provide vacation, paid time off, or personal days that meet or exceed the time required by the Ordinance, you do not have to provide additional time. Employers who are not providing paid leave or providing fewer than 1 hour of leave for every 40 hours worked are required to bring the amount of leave in vacation, paid time off, or personal days up to the rate of accrual outlined in the Ordinance.

This is the certified version of the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance (No. 24-0583) passed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners on December 14, 2023:

Paid Leave Ordinance (Municode)

Paid Leave Ordinance (PDF)

Paid Leave Ordinance Amendment - Approved 3/14/2024

This is a checklist to support employer compliance with the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance:

Paid Leave Ordinance Employer Checklist

Paid Leave Guidance for School Districts - Updated 1/10/2025

Paid Leave Ordinance Procedural Rules and Regulations

On March 14, 2024, the Commission adopted and the Board of Commissioners approved the interpretative and procedural rules for its enforcement of the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance. 

On October 24, 2024, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the Cook County Paid Leave Procedural Rules. The Commission on Human Rights values its role as the enforcement agency of the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance and, as called on by the Board of Commissioners, has worked diligently since March to listen, receive feedback, and search for solutions to concerns raised by Park and School Districts. From May to July 2024, the Commission hosted seven Park and School District Paid Leave Town Halls, with 120 Park and School Districts representatives in attendance.  

Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance Substantive and Procedural Rules - Approved 10/24/2024

Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance Substantive and Procedural Rules - Approved 10/24/2024 Redlined

Additionally, the Commission on Human Rights solicited public comment on the proposed rules and continued to respond to individual inquiries regarding the Paid Leave Ordinance. The Commission received 58 public comments on the proposed amendments to the Procedural Rules and has received 574 Paid Leave-related inquiries since December 1, 2023.  

At the link below is: 

  • A list of all Park and School Districts that attended town hall meetings to express questions and concerns regarding the Procedural Rules, and

  • All public comments submitted to the Commission on Human Rights regarding the Procedural Rules. 

    Please note that inclusion in the list below does not indicate support or lack thereof of the Procedural Rules. You can review individual comments, which are not associated with Town Hall attendees, using the link below. 

Paid Leave Town Hall Attendees and Public Comments

Response to Public Comments to Proposed Amendment to Cook County Paid Leave Procedural Rules

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This is a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance. 

FAQs should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official documents (i.e. statute and/or administrative rules). Individuals are urged to consult legal counsel with legal questions. The Commission cannot provide individuals with legal advice. These FAQs are non-binding, not to be considered complete, and do not relieve employers from complying with applicable laws and regulations.

These responses are not binding on the Commission in an enforcement action related to the Ordinance. To the extent that these responses conflict with the Ordinance or the Rules, the Ordinance and the Rules are more authoritative and will prevail.

Paid Leave in Cook County, City of Chicago, Illinois

If you have questions about where you should file a complaint for violations of paid leave, please refer to the Paid Leave Jurisdictions Comparison Chart linked below. This chart provides an overview of the paid leave ordinances at the City of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois, and is also available in the Downloads section. 

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