Illinois law expands family and medical depart for instructional help professionals

CHICAGO, Illinois – Many people have been in situations where they had to take time off from work to care for a loved one or after having a baby. However, the process was not easy for the educational staff in Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill on Tuesday to help thousands of employees struggling to be eligible for vacation.

Imagine having an emergency for a school after 10 months. You have to take the time. However, according to federal law, you currently have to work almost a year and a half before family leave begins.

“When these great education workers had to care for themselves or the health of a family member, they had to make a very difficult decision,” said Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association. “You would be forced to refuse to care for a loved one or quit your job.”

In addition, the support staff threatened to lose health insurance due to a time off before the required 1,250 working hours for family and sick leave. The law grants leave to employees who have worked more than 1,000 hours for school districts, public universities, and community colleges. Illinois is only the second state in the country to make this change. This law comes into force on January 1st.

According to Governor JB Pritzker, employees can also use this time off to look after family members or to recover from health problems. People who are on family or sick leave keep their job and their insurance cover.

“For too long we have asked our school staff to take exceptional care of children at school without giving them the grace and flexibility to look after themselves and their families,” said Pritzker.

“Unsung heroes of education”

The governor also noted that giving free time builds morale, helps retain skilled workers, and ensures that vulnerable people get the help they need. Sponsors believe that this is the least they can do for the hardworking staff who are often “unsung heroes of education.”

“I know our education professionals play a critical role in making our schools safe, healthy and efficient places for students to learn and grow,” said Terra Costa Howard MP (D-Glen Ellyn).

This change can help secretaries, auxiliaries, teacher assistants, maintenance staff, and cafeteria staff, among others. House Bill 12 was passed by both houses with bipartisan support. Senator Ram Villivalam says this legislation shows dignity and respect for employees.

“As we learned last year, thanking an important worker is not enough,” said Villivalam. “We need to support, adopt and sign policies that make their wages, benefits and working conditions what they deserve.”

Many also know that the school environment changed drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders believe that educational support professionals are more important than ever. Some say it is high time for change for ESPs, who make up over 40% of the workforce in K-12 schools. Even more of these employees work at universities and adult education centers.

Help tens of thousands of workers

“This is not a time to worry about losing their job,” said Jill Scarcelli, library worker for District 30C, Troy. “HB 12 recognizes the important work done by ESPs supporting students, families and communities.”

The Illinois Education Association says this will help 25,000 of its union members. However, thousands of other auxiliaries who benefit from the law are members of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Others do not belong to any trade union.

“The ability to take family or sick leave is a right, not a privilege,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “This legislation is about compassion in policymaking because it is important that everyone has access to a vacation that allows self-care or the care of a loved one.”