Direct answer: Cook County (Cook County) requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual 1 hour per 40 hours, max 40 hours/year, paid. Source: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/; retrieved 2026-09-21.
This page summarizes a local ordinance for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. The controlling language is the official municipal code at the source link below.
Local ordinance vs Illinois state law
Provision
Cook County
Illinois State
Employer threshold
1 employee
1 employee
Accrual rate
1 hour per 40 hours
1 hour per 40 hours worked
Max accrual
40 hours/year
40 hours per year
Paid / unpaid
paid
paid
Local insight
Cook County Earned Sick Leave: applies outside Chicago; stricter than state.
Compliance go / no-go
Determine if your workforce meets the local threshold (1 employee).
Accrue at 1 hour per 40 hours (or use a more generous PTO policy that meets/exceeds the local minimum).
Cap accrual at 40 hours/year; honor carryover per local rule.
Post the required notice and keep a written policy citing the local ordinance.
Cook County may have private right of action / penalties for non-compliance — retain records.
What are the paid sick leave rules in Cook County for 2026?
Cook County requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual: 1 hour per 40 hours. Max: 40 hours/year. Cook County Earned Sick Leave: applies outside Chicago; stricter than state.
How does Cook County sick leave differ from Illinois state law?
Cook County ordinance follows the same accrual framework as Illinois state law but may have local administrative details. See the official source for exact text.
Where can I find the official Cook County sick leave ordinance?
The official text is published by the local agency: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/.