SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Victims of sexual abuse would get up to four weeks of unpaid leave from work following the incident under a bill approved by the Illinois Senate.
The measure would apply to businesses with fewer than 15 employees. The initial plan sponsored by Democratic Rep. Camille Lilly called for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. The Senate supported the measure by a 40-14 vote on Monday, advancing it to the House.
Some Republicans said the measure would burden smaller employers who can’t afford to keep a position vacant while an employee is gone. But Republican Sen. Chris Nybo backed the Democratic plan saying the measure wouldn’t hurt businesses due to how rarely people take the full leave.