Session Update
Both the House and Senate returned to to Springfield on Tuesday, October 19th for two days of session. Thursday's session was canceled. The House did not take any substantive action aside from announcements, agreed resolutions and bill readings. Minimal action occurred in the Senate as well.
The General Assembly will return next week Tuesday-Thursday, October 26th-28th, to pass Congressional district maps and likely legislation dealing with the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (PNA).
COVID-19 testing will be required for in-person business at the capitol during the two week session.
President & CEO Maisch Talks Paid Leave on Chicago Tonight
On Thursday evening, Chamber President & CEO Todd Maisch joined Chicago Tonight host Brandis Friedman for a segment on federally mandated paid family leave. President Biden's latest proposal calls for 4 weeks of paid family or medical leave for employees earning less than $100,000 per year.
Maisch said the business community would be open to a discussion on paid family leave if it is limited to this issue area and takes into account the resources of different sized businesses.
He said the biggest issue will be if paid family leave is mandated atop of other benefits already provided by businesses. Maisch also noted that many union contracts are already negotiated for time off/leave and this may provide additional benefits beyond the negotiated contract if not implemented correctly.
Maisch cautioned that this could become another government mandate on small and medium sized businesses.
In the interview, Friedman asked what type of access employees should have to family leave outside of a potential mandate. Maisch said that businesses desire flexibility to work with their employees to both meet the needs of the organization and the parents. Ultimately, employers and employees should be empowered to work together on this issue rather than have additional government involvement.
Watch the full segment here.
