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Unpaid bereavement leave now law

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Illinois

* As we’ve discussed a few times already, Gov. Rauner signed a whole lot of bills last Friday before clearing this week’s schedule. Bernie writes about another one…

Gov. BRUCE RAUNER last week signed Senate Bill 2613, which provides that employees are entitled to up to 10 workdays of unpaid bereavement leave following the death of a child.

Among advocates for the bill was JIM DIXON of Springfield. He and his wife, LINDA, lost a son, TODD, in a one-car accident 25 years ago, and they lead a group call Bereaved Parents of Springfield. Jim Dixon is also president of the Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council.

The bill applies to private-sector businesses that employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 work weeks in a year.

“The pain a parent who loses a child must experience is unimaginable,” said state Sen. JENNIFER BERTINO-TARRANT, D-Shorewood, chief sponsor of the legislation. She said she was saddened to learn that while the Family and Medical Leave Act allows time off to care for a sick child, there was not a similar provision for time upon the death of a child.

“Since introducing this bill, I have heard many stories of parents feeling they were not mentally prepared to go back to work so quickly or needed more time to grieve,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I am grateful parents now have this guarantee.”

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:35 am

Comments

Kudos to the Governor for signing the legislation. I wish that a law like this wasn’t necessary. Employers should already be doing things like this and the fact that we have to force them to do the right thing is really sad.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:40 am
Fantastic. A close friend faced the sudden loss of his son earlier this week. I cannot fathom the depth of his pain.

Comment by Illinoised Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:46 am
It should be paid, but one step at a time I guess.

Comment by Mr.Black Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:52 am
This is an important step and the Governor should be applauded, as well as all that worked on the passage of this bill.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:55 am
Rauner can appear so heartless and disconnected at times and then he signs compassionate legislation like this. He’s one tough dude to figure out.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:56 am
I like the law. Organizations that size can absorb someone being out two weeks. It gives front line supervisors an ability to be compassionate.

Some people will find refuge from grief in work, and that is OK too.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:56 am
As a mom who has buried a child this is a step in the right direction. Most parents cannot afford to take off that long without pay so will still be forced to go back when they aren’t ready.

Comment by Momof2biys Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 9:56 am
Although several senators voted NV on this bill, only two senators voted “nay.” Senator McCarter was one and Senator Oberweis the other. Think about this next time you choose a place to buy your ice cream sundae.

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 10:03 am
Stop Jim Oberweis! Buy almond milk!

Comment by BK Bro Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 10:10 am
Cubs in ‘16: I’m glad to see this passed, too.

As for Rauner, I think it’s always useful to think about a bill’s impact on company profits to predict his response. Since this is unpaid leave and co-workers will likely pitch in to take up the slack left by the bereaved parents, this legislation is neutral or even slightly positive for company profit. Rauner consistently choses profit over compassion where they conflict, but he has no reason to oppose compassion when it doesn’t harm profits. His position might be different if this bill stipulated paid leave for the bereaved.

Comment by X-prof Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 11:12 am
Great point X-prof. I want to believe Rauner is capable of being compassionate for compassion’s sake but your assessment is most likely accurate. Compassionate people generally exhibit compassion across the board; not just when it aligns with their world view.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 12:35 pm
@ Dome Gnome

Thanks for that info. Can’t say I’m surprised about Oberweis voting Nay. Sad.

Good on Rauner for signing this.

Comment by Chicago_Downstater Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 2:44 pm
McCarter voted no? Wow. Normally, nothing he does surprises me but this does. Since he is a parent who has lost a child, I would have thought he could have voted yes for this one. Of course, one would have thought he would have stayed around to vote on a budget too, but hey - who knows how his mind works.

Comment by Mama's Musings Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 3:18 pm
Unsurprisingly, Rep. Ives was the sole “nay” vote in the House. I’d love to know which brand of antifreeze she uses for her veins.

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Aug 4, 16 @ 4:18 pm