This page covers what the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance asks of employers for work done in Cook County. Chicago and places outside the county follow other laws. For the big picture, see the overview.
What the law requires
| Requirement | In plain words | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Earn leave | 1 hour per 40 hours worked; 40 hours per 12-month period must be available (pro rata for part-timers); a higher cap is allowed | Code 42-3(c)(1)-(2), (9); Rules 400.500 |
| Or front-load | Give the full yearly amount up front; no carryover needed | 42-3(c)(3) |
| Any reason | No reason, note or replacement worker; use starts after 90 days | 42-3(c)(5), (7), (8) |
| Use limits | Minimum block no more than 2 hours a day; up to 7 days' notice if the need is foreseeable | 42-3(c)(2), (8) |
| Pay | Regular hourly rate; tipped and commission workers at least the full minimum wage | 42-3(c)(6) |
| Carryover | May be capped, but not below 40 hours | 42-3(c)(9); Rules 400.800 |
| Payout | Only if leave sits in a PTO or vacation bank; at separation if possible, no later than the next regular payday, alongside the Illinois wage payment law | 42-3(c)(12); Rules 500.600 |
| Paperwork | County notice posted, written policy at hire and yearly, records for 3 years | 42-6; Rules 700.100, 700.200, 800.100 |
| Retaliation | Not allowed; leave cannot count as an attendance point | 42-7 |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Amount or date | Year in force | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accrual rate | 1 hour per 40 worked; 40-hour yearly minimum | Since Dec 31, 2023 | Code 42-3(c) |
| Waiting period | 90 days | Since Dec 31, 2023 | Code 42-3(c)(7) |
| Carryover cap floor | 40 hours | Rules of Apr 10, 2025 | Rules 400.800 |
| Record retention | 3 years | Rules of Apr 10, 2025 | Rules 800.100 |
| Time to file | 3 years from the violation | Rules of Apr 10, 2025 | Rules 1020.100 |
| Chicago accrual | 1 hour per 35 worked | 2026 | City of Chicago |
| Illinois accrual | 1 hour per 40 worked; 40-hour yearly minimum | Since Jan 1, 2024 | 820 ILCS 192/15 |
Source: City of Chicago, Cook County Code 42-3, 820 ILCS 192/15
Recent and pending changes
- Dec 14, 2023 (final): Ordinance 24-0583 adopted, replacing the Earned Sick Leave Ordinance; effective Dec 31, 2023.
- Feb 1, 2024 (final): Commission enforcement began.
- Mar 14, 2024 (final): first Rules approved; school and park districts delayed to Jan 1, 2025.
- Oct 24, 2024 (final): Rules amended again.
- Apr 10, 2025 (final): revised Rules, the current version (Board vote on them recorded May 15, 2025).
Penalties and enforcement
The Cook County Commission on Human Rights enforces the ordinance. A worker files a written, verified complaint, or sues in court without going to the Commission first. Contractor labels are explained in our employee versus contractor guide, and wage floors in the County's minimum wage ordinance. Next, use the checklist and FAQs.
| Tier | What can follow | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Notice violation | Fine of $500 for a first audit violation, $1,000 for each later one | Code 42-6(f) |
| Commission finding | Penalty of $500 to $1,000 per violation per affected employee, plus lost wages and damages; doubled if a worker is labeled a contractor to avoid the law | Code 42-8(b); Rules 1030.100 |
| Civil penalty | $2,500 per separate offense is allowed, but not for notice violations | Code 42-8(d) |
| Court action | Three times the unpaid leave, plus interest, costs and attorney fees | Code 42-8(b) |
Official sources
- Cook County: Paid Leave Ordinance and Regulations
- Cook County Commission on Human Rights: Paid Leave Ordinance Rules, April 2025
- Cook County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, Division 1 (Paid Leave)
- Illinois General Assembly: 820 ILCS 192/15
- City of Chicago: Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.