What to Know About the New Illinois Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act
Enacted on August 4, 2023, by Governor J.B. Pritzker, the new Illinois Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act (“CEBLA”) (SB2034) will become effective on January 1, 2024. The new version of the CEBLA will now require covered Illinois employers to provide additional unpaid leave to employees who experience a child’s death due to homicide or suicide. The CEBLA defines “child” as including adopted, biological, foster, and stepchildren, as well as legal wards and children of individuals serving in loco parentis, meaning they are acting “in place of a parent.”
The CEBLA applies to Illinois employers with 50 or more full-time employees. Employers with 50 to 249 full-time employees must provide up to 6 weeks of unpaid leave to employees who suffer the loss of a child due to homicide or suicide. Employers with 250 or more full-time employees must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees who suffer the loss of a child due to homicide or suicide.
Employees may take CEBLA leave intermittently in increments of no less than 4 hours or in a single continuous period. Employees must, however, complete CEBLA leave within 1 year after the employee notifies the employer of the loss of the child.
Employees can substitute paid or unpaid leave for an equivalent period under the new CEBLA. It is worth noting that the CEBLA does not extend the maximum period of leave employees are granted under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.
Employers with 50 or more full-time employees must update their policies and procedures for 2024 to account for the new CEBLA so that there are no gaps in the employers’ policies when the law becomes effective on January 1, 2024.
To identify what your business needs to do to ensure it follows the CEBLA or for any other employment matters, please reach out to Mitchell S. Chaban at 312-368-0100.
