Macon Reporter

A new law reduces the number of hours needed for educators and education support professionals to qualify for medical leave.

"New Year, New Law! HB 12 allows educators up to 12 weeks of family and/or medical leave!" state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) posted on her Facebook account.

Gov. J.B. Pritzer signed House Bill 12 into law in April. It reduces the requirement to be eligible for up to 12 weeks of medical leave from 1,250 hours in a 12-month period to 1,000 hours. The bill is intended to assist workers who are often unable to meet the past requirement of 1,250 hours due to the limited number of days they are able to work during a school year.

"It's enormously important to ensure that all of Illinois' education professionals have not only what they need to support the students and families they serve, but also to care for themselves and their own families, too," Pritzker said in a press release. "That's why I'm proud to be signing an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act that will cover thousands of education support professionals across the state. This is another way Illinois is shaping our policies to reflect our values - a critical aspect of ensuring ours is a state where all working families can thrive."

HB 12, according to the release, passed 47-3 in the Senate and 95-14 in the House and is based on the Family Medical Leave Act. It will benefit educators and employees at a school district, public university, or community college. Also included are educational support staff, such as secretaries, teachers' aides, maintenance workers, school bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.

Family medical leave can be taken for the arrival of a newborn, adopted, or foster child, time to recover from a serious medical issue, to care for a family member with a medical condition, or care for a family member who has been injured while on active duty in the military.

 "The ability to take family or medical leave is a right and not a privilege," Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said in the release. "This legislation is about compassion in policymaking because it is important that everyone has access to leave that allows for self-care or the care of a loved one. Extending the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include education support professionals across the state gives these essential workers the support they need and deserve."

 HB 12 took effect January 1, 2022