​New law expands access to FMLA for educational support staff

Posted on August 11, 2021
The law takes effect Jan. 1. (Facebook/Governor JB Pritzker)

By IIS Radio

CHICAGO – A new state law makes it easier for educational support staff to take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation, lowering the threshold of hours worked that must be met to be eligible for the FMLA from 1,250 to 1,000 over the past year.

“For to long we have asked our school staff to provide exceptional care, supporting kids in school, without giving them the grace and flexibility to care for themselves and their families,” said the governor during a bill signing Tuesday.

The law takes effect Jan. 1 and applies to staff ranging from secretaries and teacher’s aides to maintenance and cafeteria workers at Illinois K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.

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