Cook County, IL Leave Laws
Complete guide to Cook County's local sick leave ordinance and employer requirements.
Effective Since: July 1, 2017
40 hours
Max Accrual
40 hours per year
Usage Cap
1+
Min Employees
5.2 million+
Population
Overview
Cook County's ordinance covers unincorporated areas and municipalities that have not opted out.
Key Requirements
1
Accrual Rate
1 hour per 40 hours worked
2
Maximum Accrual
Employees can accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick leave.
3
Waiting Period
180 days before employees can use accrued time.
4
Carryover
Yes, up to 20 hours
Covered Uses
Employees in Cook County can use sick leave for:
- ✓Employee illness
- ✓Care for family member
- ✓Domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
- ✓Public health emergency
Employer Obligations
- •Post required notice
- •Track sick leave accrual
- •Maintain records
Compared to State Law
- •State law (2024) now provides broader coverage
- •Many Cook County municipalities opted out
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Administrative fines.
Quick Reference
- City
- Cook County, IL
- Population
- 5.2 million+
- Effective Date
- July 1, 2017
- Employer Threshold
- 1+ employees
Official Resources
State Laws
Cook County employers must also comply with Illinois state laws.
View Illinois Leave Laws →Calculate Accrual
Use our calculator to determine sick leave accrual for your employees.
Sick Leave Calculator →Simplify Cook County Leave Compliance
LeavePlan Pro automatically tracks Cook County's sick leave requirements and ensures your policies stay compliant.