Illinois’ New Paid Leave Law: What Employers Need to Know

By Brian Mead, P. Kevin Connelly and Emily Starbuck on April 18, 2023

The Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on March 13, 2023, ensuring that all workers in Illinois receive 40 hours of paid time off annually for any purpose. The law will become effective on January 1, 2024, requiring employers to utilize the remaining months of 2023 to ensure they are equipped to comply with the new legislation.

Illinois has joined Maine and Nevada as the third state to implement such a measure.

Brian Mead
Brian Mead is an employment litigator and transactional advisor. He leads McDermott’s Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants Subgroup. Clients call upon him for his substantial experience prosecuting and defending employee mobility, restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation cases across various industries including private equity, healthcare, professional services, technology and manufacturing. Read Brian Mead's full bio.

P. Kevin Connelly
Kevin Connelly focuses his practice on employment matters, such as discrimination, harassment, wage and hour law, whistleblowing, statutory leave and traditional labor law. He is experienced in both trials and appeals, and devotes a substantial portion of his practice to class and collective actions. Read Kevin Connelly's full bio.