Illinois has recently enacted Senate Bill 220, which makes significant changes to the Illinois Military Leave Act. Employees are now eligible for Funeral Honors Leave under state law. “Funeral Honors Leave” refers to participation as an honor guard at a veteran’s funeral. Employees must be trained in funeral honor detail in order to qualify for this leave.

The law provides for both paid and unpaid leave under the law:

- If the employer has at least 51 employees, then it must provide paid leave under the Military Leave Act changes. Employees are eligible for up to 8 hours of leave per calendar month, up to a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year. Employees will be paid his or her regular rate of pay for the leave taken to participate in a funeral honors detail.

- If the employer has between 5-50 employees, then the Military Honors Detail Leave is added to the state’s existing Family Military Leave (providing for up to 15 days of unpaid leave annually).

This is set to take effect immediately, so employers should be prepared to provide for such leave as soon as possible.

You can read the entire Senate Bill HERE.