South Central Reporter

Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Springfield) on Jan. 18 took to Facebook to celebrate a House Bill that increases paid family and medical leave for educators in 2022.

HB 12 was passed by the General Assembly in 2021. It will expand unpaid leave benefits for education professionals and goes into effect this year. It allows employees of the school district, public university, or community college district who meet certain criteria to be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave under the federal family and medical leave act of 1993.

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

Before HB 12, an employee must have worked over 1,250 hours the previous year compared to the new 1,000-hour eligibility requirement, according to the release.

"The ability to take family or medical leave is a right and not a privilege," Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said, according to the release. "This legislation is about compassion in policymaking because it is important that everyone has access to leave that allows for self-care or the care of a loved one. Extending the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include education support professionals across the state gives these essential workers the support they need and deserve."

Several conservatives joined Scherer in backing the bill, including Sens. Chapin Rose (R-McLean), Sue Rezin (R-LaSalle), Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Carroll), according to Illinois General Assembly.

Gov. Pritzker signed House Bill 12 into law in April, according to the release.

"(The legislation) received overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly," Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin said, according to the release. "Having this bill signed by Governor Pritzker today shows the respect and care that all of you have for others. You have made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of Illinoisans and we; the 135,000 members of the Illinois Education Association thank you."