Illinois Family Leave Laws 2026
Last updated: · Source: Illinois labor department
Illinois · Leave Laws 2026
Federal FMLA
Applies (50+ employees)
State Leave Law
None beyond federal FMLA
State Employer Threshold
Follows federal (50+)
Paid Family Leave
None
Bereavement Leave
10 days
FMLA in Illinois: Your Federal Leave Rights
Federal FMLA applies to every qualifying employee in Illinois the same way it applies nationwide: up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees who've worked 12+ months and at least 1,250 hours for an employer with 50+ employees within 75 miles.
Illinois Bereavement Leave: IL Child Bereavement Leave Act
Illinois requires covered employers (50+ employees) to provide 10 days of bereavement leave under Family Bereavement Leave Act, in effect since 2023-01-01.
Leave Options for Illinois Workers
Since Illinois has no separate state family leave law, federal FMLA is the primary job-protection entitlement available.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Illinois does not have a state paid family leave program. Illinois workers rely on federal FMLA for job-protected unpaid leave and any employer-provided PTO, short-term disability, or parental leave policies for pay during leave.
Yes. Illinois' Child Bereavement Leave Act requires employers with 50+ employees to provide up to 10 days of unpaid bereavement leave for the loss of a child. Some employers may offer paid bereavement leave as a benefit.