Board of Commissioners of Cook County - File #: 22-6090

• File #: 22-6090
• Version: 1
• Name: Paid Parental Leave Fiscal Note
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Approved
• File created: 10/18/2022
• In control: Finance Committee
• On agenda: 10/20/2022
• Final action: 11/17/2022
• Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A TWELVE WEEK PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS AND REPORT WHEREAS, the United States is the only high-income country, and one of only seven countries in the world that does not mandate paid maternity leave; and WHEREAS, beginning on January 1 of 2023, City of Chicago employees will be entitled to twelve weeks of paid parental leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents. This is an increase from the previously allowed four to six weeks of paid leave for the birthing parent and two weeks of leave for non-birthing parents; and WHEREAS, Cook County provides employees with four weeks of paid leave for a birthing parent that delivers non-surgically and six weeks for a surgical delivery. Non-birthing parents are entitled to two weeks of paid leave. Employees that adopt a child are entitled to two weeks of paid leave; and WHEREAS, paid parental leave correlates with reduced financial stress, and enhanced mental and phys...
• Sponsors: BRIDGET DEGNEN, ALMA E. ANAYA, BRIDGET GAINER, DONNA MILLER, KEVIN B. MORRISON, LARRY SUFFREDIN, DENNIS DEER, JOHN P. DALEY, SCOTT R. BRITTON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, FRANK J. AGUILAR, LUIS ARROYO JR, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, STANLEY MOORE, JOSINA MORITA, SEAN M. MORRISON, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), DEBORAH SIMS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Motion	Result
11/17/2022	1	Board of Commissioners	approve	Pass
11/16/2022	1	Finance Committee	recommend for approval	Pass
10/20/2022	1	Board of Commissioners	refer	Pass

title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A TWELVE WEEK PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS AND REPORT

WHEREAS, the United States is the only high-income country, and one of only seven countries in the world that does not mandate paid maternity leave; and

WHEREAS, beginning on January 1 of 2023, City of Chicago employees will be entitled to twelve weeks of paid parental leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents. This is an increase from the previously allowed four to six weeks of paid leave for the birthing parent and two weeks of leave for non-birthing parents; and

WHEREAS, Cook County provides employees with four weeks of paid leave for a birthing parent that delivers non-surgically and six weeks for a surgical delivery. Non-birthing parents are entitled to two weeks of paid leave. Employees that adopt a child are entitled to two weeks of paid leave; and
WHEREAS, paid parental leave correlates with reduced financial stress, and enhanced mental and physical health outcomes for parents and children. Studies make a correlative finding between longer leave time and overall improved family benefit; and

WHEREAS, less than eight weeks of paid leave is linked to a reduction in overall health status and increased depression for birthing parents. For every week of paid leave allotted to a mother, there is a two percent reduction in her likelihood of designating her mental health as poor. Research shows that when the birthing parents have paid time off, there is a 51% decrease in the risk of rehospitalization due to complications. When the non-birthing parent also takes parental leave, both caregivers see an increased benefit to their family health from lower stress levels, leading to reduced physical complications and improved health benefits to babies; and

WHEREAS, studies identify the link between parent-child bonding during the first months of life and increased cognitive brain function in babies as a crucial identifier in overa...