The 21st Show

The state of paid family leave in Illinois

Produced by Anna Casey
 
Sarah Clemente snuggles with daughter Penelope Clemente, 6, at their home in Charleston, W.Va., on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Clemente supported a paid family medical leave proposal that was removed from President Joe Biden's social spending plan because of opposition from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

Sarah Clemente snuggles with daughter Penelope Clemente, 6, at their home in Charleston, W.Va., on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Clemente supported a paid family medical leave proposal that was removed from President Joe Biden's social spending plan because of opposition from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. AP Photo/Jay Reeves

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The United States is currently one of only six counties without a national paid leave policy—these are laws that allow employees to take time off to care for themselves, or family members without jeopardizing their economic security. During the pandemic, these conversations have been ramping up, and proponents of a national paid leave policy say it’s more important than ever, especially for caregivers—while many business leaders worry about increased taxes. To talk about the current state of paid family leave in Illinois, The 21st was joined by a professor of labor and employment relations and someone who's been working to expand access to paid leave in Illinois.

GUESTS: 

Corliss King

Chicago-Midway based flight attendant | 2nd Vice President of TWU Local 556 

Bob Bruno 

Professor in the School of Labor and Employment Relations | Director, Labor Education Program, School of Labor and Employment Relations

Todd Maisch 

Head of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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