IllinoisIllinois law keeps pay for some public workers hurt or ill on duty
Eligible public workers who cannot do their jobs after an on-duty injury or qualifying illness keep their pay for up to one year.
What it does
Eligible public workers who cannot do their jobs after an injury on duty keep their pay and health coverage options for up to one year. They keep pension service credits during this time, too.
Eligible local public safety and county sheriff workers who cannot do their jobs because of an illness tied to a declared community emergency keep their pay for up to one year.
An eligible injured worker may receive up to 60 extra days of pay if COVID-related circumstances hinder physical recovery during the one-year payment period.
Argument forWorkers unable to do their jobs after a covered injury or illness could keep their pay without using sick leave, vacation, or pension service credits.
Argument againstWorkers who take another job while receiving these payments could lose them, even if that work brings in no pay.
More detail
The law provides continued pay and health coverage for eligible workers who cannot do their jobs after an on-duty injury. Coverage includes listed state and county corrections workers, certain state facility employees, and full-time public law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Home rule units with more than 1,000,000 people are excluded. For certain workers in prisons or state mental health or developmental disability facilities, the injury must result directly or indirectly from violence by inmates or residents. During the paid period, the worker may not take another job, with or without pay, or lose these payments. The period is limited to one year for the same injury, except for the COVID-related extension described below. Continued pay and benefits last while the worker cannot perform their duties because of the injury, for no longer than one year for the same injury unless the COVID-related extension applies.
The law provides continued pay for eligible workers unable to do their jobs because of an illness on duty. This applies to full-time local law enforcement officers and firefighters, including paramedics, and part-time or full-time county corrections workers and other county sheriff employees. Home rule units with more than 1,000,000 people are excluded. The illness must be one whose presence in the community leads a state, county, or municipal official to declare a disaster or emergency. During the paid period, the worker may not take another job, with or without pay, or lose these payments. Pay continues while the worker cannot perform their duties because of the same illness, for no longer than one year.
The law allows up to 60 extra days of injury pay when COVID-related circumstances hinder an eligible worker's physical recovery. The extension applies to an eligible employee receiving injury benefits under Section 1. The employer may require proof of the circumstances that hinder recovery. The hindering circumstances must occur on or after March 9, 2020, and on or before June 30, 2021.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0815Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. John M. Cabello
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- May 21Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 094-017-000Passed House
- May 20Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Briel
- May 7Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Do Pass / Short Debate Counties & Townships Committee; 007-004-000
- Apr 27Assigned to Counties & Townships CommitteeMinor
- Apr 24Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Gregg Johnson
- Apr 17Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 17First ReadingMinor
- Apr 17Chief House Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
- Apr 17Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 16Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Third Reading - Passed; 053-000-001Passed Senate
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
- Apr 16Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Edly-AllenMajor
- Apr 16Recalled to Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 15Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Local Government; 007-003-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 15, 2026
- Apr 14Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Local Government
- Mar 26Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 26Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-AllenMinor
- Mar 25Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 26, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Do Pass Local Government; 006-003-000
- Mar 25Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 25Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-AllenMinor
- Mar 13Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
- Mar 12Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
- Mar 12Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
- Mar 4Postponed - Local Government
- Feb 18Postponed - Local Government
- Feb 10Assigned to Local GovernmentMinor
- Jan 29Referred to Assignments
- Jan 29First ReadingMinor
- Jan 29Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-AllenIntroduced
Public SafetyDisability RightsHealthcare