IL HB2946

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program administered by the Department of Employment Security, providing paid leave benefits to eligible employees for caring for family members with serious health conditions, bonding with newborns or newly adopted/foster children, the employee's own serious health condition, military family exigencies, domestic/sexual violence situations, and public health emergencies

Employers and covered business entities must pay premium contributions of 0.73% of wages for all employees, with premium collection beginning January 1, 2027 and benefit claims available starting one year after collection begins

Weekly benefit amounts range from 50-90% of the employee's average weekly wage depending on income level, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,200 (adjusted annually to 90% of statewide average weekly wage); eligible individuals can receive up to 26 weeks of benefits per 12-month period, or up to 52 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions

Provides employment protection requiring employers to restore employees to their same or equivalent position after leave, maintain health benefits during leave, and prohibits retaliation against employees who request or take family and medical leave

Self-employed individuals may elect coverage for an initial 3-year period by paying 100% of premium contributions; covered individuals must have earned at least $1,600 during their base period with at least $440 outside their highest-earning quarter to qualify for benefits