Paid sick leave proposal passes City Council committee

Chicago took a major step Thursday toward requiring nearly all employers to offer workers paid sick leave, with a measure excoriated by some business interest groups as overly complicated and inconsiderate of business owners' needs.

Workers and labor organizers cheered after the City Council's Committee on Workforce Development and Audit approved the earned sick time ordinance proposal in a unanimous voice vote. The full City Council is expected to consider the measure at Wednesday's meeting.

Under the proposed ordinance, employees would accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked, with a cap of five sick days in a 12-month period. Employers could offer more if they wish.

If approved, Chicago would join 26 other U.S. cities, five states and one county with paid sick time laws on the books, according to A Better Balance, a legal advocacy group on work-family policies. The Chicago measure would take effect July 1, 2017.