CHICAGO – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined with several airline employees for a press conference Thursday to advocate for legislation that would give those employees the chance to use earned sick time to care for sick family members.
“Today marks the next step in our fight to make sure those hard-working folks who go above and beyond to make travel seamless are able to use their earned sick time to help loved ones in need,” Hastings said. “This is, quite simply, the right thing to do for working families in Illinois.”
Hastings was inspired to lead the measure by two residents of the district he represents, both of whom are flight attendants for Southwest Airlines. Corliss King’s husband was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in 2017 and was hospitalized several times, receiving surgeries that left him in need of care at home. Corliss used her accrued sick time to care for him and her children until a law change removed coverage for airline employees.
“In the event of a personal family emergency, airline workers are currently forced to choose between caring for a sick family member and earning their paycheck. There should not be professional consequences for having a family that needs us. We aren't looking for special treatment, just equal treatment for all Illinois workers.”
Susan Lyons has a similar story. When her brother suffered a heart attack and later required intensive care, she was forced to take unpaid Family Medical Leave Act leave instead of using her accrued sick time, losing over a month of income.
“Our loved ones deserve to know that we can be there for them in their time of need without risking our careers,” Lyons said. “We are not asking for much.”
Senate Bill 645 passed the Senate Labor Committee on March 18 and will be considered before the Senate in the coming weeks.
