Sangamon Sun

Educators in the state of Illinois now have expanded access to family and medical leave benefits under House Bill 12, a new law that went into effect at the beginning of this year.

State Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) took to social media to celebrate what the law means for those professionals who work in public education.

"New Year, New Law! HB 12 allows educators up to 12 weeks of family and/or medical leave," Scherer wrote in a Jan. 18 Facebook post.

House Bill 12 was passed by the Illinois General Assembly last year. According to an informational video about the law, employees of school districts, public universities, or community colleges who are eligible can receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

"It's enormously important to ensure that all of Illinois' education professionals have not only what they need to support the students and families they serve, but also to care for themselves and their own families, too," Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) said in a press release.

Eligible workers have to be employed by the school for at least a year and worked a minimum of 1,000 hours to be eligible, down from the 1,250 hours previously required, the release stated.

"The ability to take family or medical leave is a right and not a privilege," Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said in the release. "This legislation is about compassion in policy making because it is important that everyone has access to leave that allows for selfcare or the care of a loved one."

The release also pointed out that the new law will also benefit educational support staff including secretaries, teachers' aides, maintenance workers, and school bus drivers to name a few.  

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, the bill had received support from several GOP lawmakers including Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), Sue Rezin (R-Morris), and Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), and Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna).

Pritzker signed the bill into law back in August.