HB4724 - Illinois Family and Medical Leave Act

• Creates the Illinois Family and Medical Leave Act modeled on the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, providing eligible employees with up to 12 workweeks of leave during a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including employment for at least 12 months with an employer and 1,250 hours of service in the prior 12 months; applies to employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius of the work site.

• Permits employees to take leave for birth or adoption of a child, care for a spouse or family member with a serious health condition, the employee's own serious health condition, or qualifying military family exigencies; provides 26 workweeks of leave to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.

• Requires employers to maintain health insurance coverage during leave periods and restore employees to their original or equivalent positions upon return; allows employers to require medical certification and second opinions regarding serious health conditions.

• Establishes enforcement mechanisms including employee civil actions for damages and equitable relief, director investigative authority, and penalties for employer violations including interference with leave rights or retaliation against employees exercising protected rights.