Illinois Expands Leave Available Under the Victim’s Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) and the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act

Home
/
Blog
/
Illinois Expands Leave Available Under the Victim’s Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) and the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act

Effective January 1st, 2024

The Victims’ Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) has recently undergone modifications to broaden the scope of reasons for which employees can request leave. From January 1, 2024, this will include instances where a family or household member has been fatally victimized by violent crime. Employees affected by such tragedies are entitled to up to two weeks (or 10 working days) of unpaid leave. This leave can be used for attending funerals, making necessary arrangements, or mourning the loss of a family or household member who has died as a result of a violent crime. This period of leave must be taken within 60 days of receiving notification of the death.

It’s important to note that this leave is distinct from any unpaid bereavement leave provided under the Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA), and should not exceed the latter. The amendment also sets forth specific certification requirements that must be met for employees to avail of this extended leave provision.

This legislative change, encapsulated in IL HB 2493, was officially signed into law by the governor on July 28, 2023.

Expansion of Leave Available Under the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act

The Employee Blood Donation Leave Act in Illinois has recently been updated and renamed as the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Effective from January 1, 2024, this revised act mandates that employers with a staff count of 51 or more must provide their full-time employees, who have been with the company for a minimum of six months, the opportunity to take up to 10 days of paid leave within a year. This leave is specifically designated for those employees who wish to donate organs or tissues.

This legislative change, encapsulated in IL HB 3516, received the governor’s signature on August 4, 2023, making it an official law.

Be Audit-Secure™!

Lisa Smith, SPHR, SCP

Become a HelpDeskforHR.com Member and get a $170 Discount!

Pay Just $729 annually (reg. $899 annually)

Sign-up HERE and Save $170!

USE COUPON CODE: HD4HR729

Here is what all you will get:

Boss Calls™ – Access to EVERY Boss Call™ – Past & Future.
HelpDesk for HR VAULT – Access to all 8 of our proprietary tools and applications to make your workday simple.
Forms, Docs, Policies and Procedures Library – 700+ samples you can download and edit to fit your needs.
U.S. ePoster Club – Download state, city, and local posters. Both required & recommended, for all 50 states & D.C.
Same-day email support – Write to our team of SPHR and SCP professionals with all your HR questions.

Illinois Expands Leave Available Under the Victim’s Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) and the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act

Sign-up HERE and Save $170!

Lisa Smith, SPHR, SHRM – SCP

Certified EEO Investigator (EEOC)

Lead Support and Content Chief – HelpDeskforHR.com

“You cannot be audit-proof, but you can Be Audit-Secure.”