Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi recently joined the chorus of Springfield lawmakers expressing concern that a bill that gives paid leave to all Illinois workers will be bad for small businesses across the state.

According to The Heartlander, the so-called “Paid Leave for All Workers Act” guarantees up to 40 hours of paid leave per year for all employees along with allowing all full- and part-time workers the chance to earn up to one week’s worth of paid time off per year. The bill is sponsored by Democratic Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth.

Mazzochi spoke out against the bill along the lines that it would be bad for Illinois businesses. 

“What it’s going to mean is that more businesses close, more businesses can’t survive, and the very people you are trying to protect won’t have jobs at all,” Mazzochi said, according to The Heartlander.

Under the terms of the bill, leave can be used by employees for any reason, though employers will still retain the right to require employees to give notice before taking time off.

With Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker expected to quickly sign off on the bill, Illinois is poised to become the 15th state to have laws regarding mandatory paid leave. Pritzker said in support of the bill, "Working families face enough challenges without the concern of losing a day’s pay when life gets in the way."