CHICAGO, Ill. — Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed the Family Bereavement Act, which amends the Child Bereavement Leave Act expanding leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions, unsuccessful reproductive procedures and other diagnoses or events impacting pregnancy and fertility.
This updates current law to ensure an employee who has lost a child, step-child, sibling, parent or grandparent recieves up to 10 days of unpaid leave to deal with their grief.
“Illinoisans should have time to mourn and heal after an unimaginable loss like a miscarriage or stillbirth,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
The original Child Bereavement Leave Act, signed into law in 2016, allowed parents and guardians to take leave in the case of the loss of a biological or adopted child, a foster placement, or a stepchild.
The amended act addresses the immense grief parents feel during pregnancy loss and failed adoptions, both of which are often under-recognized as traumatic events requiring time for recuperation and healing.
The bill also expands the definition of a “covered family member” to include children, stepchildren, spouses, domestic partners, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandchildren, grandparents, or stepparents.
When asking for the time, employees will also be allowed to remain vague in their reasoning.
“Expanding bereavement leave to cover miscarriages, failed IVF procedures, failed adoptions, failed surrogacy agreements, the loss of a close family member and other similar losses is a vital step towards equality in Illinois,” said State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin).
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