Paid Sick Time & Paid Leave
The Challenge
It’s universal. We all get sick. We all need time off work to care for ourselves and our families—paid time off, so that we don’t have to choose between our paycheck and our health. But we don’t all get it.
Nationally, over 40 percent of all working people—and 80 percent of the lowest-paid working people—do not have access to a single paid sick day. Only 15 percent of working people in the U.S. get paid family leave through their employers. And while the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has allowed millions to take time off to deal with a serious illness or care for a new child without losing their jobs, one-third of working people do not qualify for FMLA, and millions more can’t afford to take unpaid leave.
When we get sick, when we bring a new child into our home, when our family members suffer an illness or injury, the ability to take time off shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the lucky or the privileged. We shouldn’t have to fear losing our jobs. Every working person deserves paid sick time and paid family and medical leave.
What We're Doing
WE are leading the charge for paid sick time and paid family and medical leave in Illinois. As the head of the Sick Time Chicago Coalition, WE joined our partners—including Arise Chicago, Chicago Foundation for Women, the Shriver Center, and UFCW—to win earned sick time ordinances in Chicago and Cook County, impacting over half a million working people.
Now WE are working with our partners to expand that victory to the whole state of Illinois, as well as nationally, advocating as a member of Family Values @Work, a multi-state consortium of 27 state and local coalitions helping spur the growing movement for family-friendly workplace policies.
WE are also working in coalition to champion paid family and medical leave bills both in Illinois and nationally.
WE lead the Illinois Paid Leave Coalition, a group of over 70 organizations fighting for earned sick time for all Illinois workers.
WE champion the Illinois Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, a bill that would provide Illinois families with up to 12 weeks of comprehensive paid family and medical leave.
WE make sure people in Chicago and Cook County know their right to earn and use paid sick time, including partnering with Pride Action Tank so LGBTQ+ folks know they can care for their chosen family.
Live in Chicago or Cook County?
Learn about the law and your rights to earn and use paid sick time.
Take Action
Act Now for Sick Time
Everybody gets sick. We all need time off to care for ourselves and our families. Tell your Illinois and federal legislators to support paid sick time.
Support Paid Leave
Act now to support the Illinois Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, and the federal FAMILY Act.
Share Your Story
Have you been sick but couldn’t take time off? Had a child without paid family leave? We want to hear from you.