Governor signs bill granting teachers unlimited paid sick leave for COVID

Posted on April 6, 2022
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill into law Tuesday during a news conference at the Capitol. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Unlimited sick time for covid-related reasons, a new law Gov. JB Pritzker signed for educators, is a godsend for Angela Bulger of O’Fallon.

“As a new employee, I am allotted eleven sick days,” said Bulger, an aide. “Without this legislation, any additional days missed because of covid would mean a cut in pay, because I have no more paid sick days.”

Bulger needed to miss work not only because of her own covid, but also when her daughter was quarantined because of an exposure.

Pritzker called it a way to show teachers appreciation.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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