Illinois NICU Leave Law Takes Effect June 1, 2026 - HR ALERTS
- Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Illinois NICU Leave Law Takes Effect June 1, 2026
Effective Date: June 1, 2026
Illinois is implementing a new leave requirement for parents with infants receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Beginning June 1, 2026, employers with 16 or more employees must provide eligible employees with unpaid leave while their child is a patient in a NICU.
What This Means
Eligible employees are entitled to unpaid leave during a child’s NICU stay
Leave is job-protected and intended to support families during critical care situations
Leave Entitlement
Employers with 16 to 50 employees must provide up to 10 days of leave
Employers with 51 or more employees must provide up to 20 days of leave
Why It Matters
This law adds to the growing list of state-specific leave requirements. Employers should ensure policies are updated to reflect this new entitlement and that managers understand when it applies.
What Employers Should Do
Update leave policies to include NICU leave provisions
Train HR and managers on eligibility and administration
Coordinate with existing leave programs such as FMLA where applicable
Ensure consistent tracking of leave usage
Reference 2025 Bill Text IL H.B. 2978Â
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