Illinois Bereavement Leave Law (2026)

Whether Illinois requires time off to grieve and handle a death, how many days, and whether that time is paid.

Leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

Illinois requires employers covered by the FMLA (generally 50 or more employees) to give up to 10 workdays of unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss. You generally must have worked 1,250 hours in the past year.

Bereavement leave in Illinois

Required?

Yes

How much

Up to 10 workdays

Paid?

Unpaid

Applies to

50+ employees (FMLA-covered)

Good to know

Even where the law does not require it, most employers offer some bereavement leave, commonly three to five days for an immediate family member. If your state has no mandate, you may be able to use paid sick leave, PTO, or, if the loss affects your health, the federal FMLA. Ask your employer what their written policy allows. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

Illinois bereavement leave FAQ

Does Illinois require bereavement leave?

Yes. Illinois requires employers covered by the FMLA (generally 50 or more employees) to give up to 10 workdays of unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss. You generally must have worked 1,250 hours in the past year.

How many days of bereavement leave do you get in Illinois?

Up to 10 workdays per the state law. Illinois requires employers covered by the FMLA (generally 50 or more employees) to give up to 10 workdays of unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss. You generally must have worked 1,250 hours in the past year.

Is bereavement leave paid?

In Illinois, the leave is: Unpaid.

Does the FMLA cover bereavement?

Not directly. The federal FMLA does not give time off simply to grieve, but it can apply if the loss leads to a serious health condition, such as depression, that needs treatment.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.