Mayor Johnson Extends Paid Parental Leave for CPS Employees

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that CPS employees will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Details will be finalized over the summer, but the policy will be similar to paid parental leave policies previously adopted by the City of Chicago. Under the Board’s proposed policy, eligible employees, regardless of gender or gender identity, may receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of the employee’s child or for the adoption or fostering of a child.   

“I am thrilled to begin this work to provide paid parental leave for CPS employees, and proud of the collaboration and partnership between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union that made this important policy goal possible,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “With the development of this new parental leave policy, we are furthering our commitment to creating a Chicago that puts the needs of workers and families first.”   

Currently, CPS policy entitles birthing parents to six to eight weeks of short-term disability leave, while non-birth parents, who are FMLA eligible, receive two weeks of paid leave. However, the new parental leave policy will run concurrently with FMLA, allowing both birth and non-birth parents to take time off to bond with their newborn or newly adopted/fostered child within the first 12 months of birth or placement. Additionally, gestational surrogates will be eligible for up to eight weeks of paid leave for recovery purposes under this benefit. Staff members who do not meet the hours requirement for FMLA will continue to be able to utilize the current short-term disability plan.  

“This expanded parental leave policy is significant for all CPS employees and a testament to the importance of our political work as a union,” said SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer. “I encourage all of our members to contribute to COPE so we can continue to win on critical issues like parental leave.”