Illinois Senate Considering Bill To Mandate Paid Sick Time

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network

The choice of going to work sick or staying home and not getting paid would no longer be the choice under a bill discussed Wednesday in an Illinois Senate committee.

Opponents say employers do not need another government mandate.

"I'm always a little surprised," said State Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), "when I hear that we in government are going to tell business what's good for them and compel them do do something when, when they had the choice, they decided it wasn't good for them."

"The bill requires all employers with more than one employee to offer paid sick time to full- and part-time employees," said the bill's sponsor, State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields). "The bill would allow employees to earn up to seven paid sick days per year. Sick time would accrue an hour at a time for every thirty hours worked."

SB 1836 is in the Senate Executive Committee.