SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has resolved multiple investigations involving alleged violations of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, ensuring employees received access to paid leave benefits required under state law.
The investigations involved employers across Illinois in a variety of industries, including food service, hospitality, and home services. In each case, employers worked cooperatively with the Department to address concerns, revise policies, and ensure employees received the paid leave protections guaranteed under Illinois law.
“Workers deserve access to the paid leave they have earned, and employers deserve clear guidance on how to comply with the law,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. “These cases demonstrate that education and collaboration can lead to meaningful compliance that benefits both employees and businesses.”
The following matters were resolved by the Department:
Ottawa Donuts, Inc. – Ottawa, Illinois
The Department investigated allegations that employees were not being provided with paid leave as required by law. After reviewing the employer’s paid leave records, the Department found that most employees had not used any accrued paid leave during 2024 or 2025, despite the employer maintaining that employees were informed of their paid leave policy. The employer worked with the Department to ensure employees were properly informed of the employer’s paid leave policy and were able to access and use their paid leave benefits. More than 60 employees were paid a total of approximately $9,600 and Ottawa Donuts paid more than $8,000 in penalties to IDOL.
Leaf Home Enhancements LLC – Bolingbrook, Illinois
The Department investigated allegations that canvassers and marketers were not receiving paid leave benefits as required by law. Following a review of the employer’s paid leave policies and records, the Department found that canvassers and marketers had not accrued or used paid leave during 2024 or 2025. The employer cooperated with the Department to bring its practices into compliance. More than 30 employees were paid a total of approximately $5,400 and the company paid $20,000 in penalties to IDOL.
Hellcat Subs LLC d/b/a Jersey Mike’s – Schaumburg, Illinois
The Department investigated allegations that an employee was required to find shift coverage before using paid leave and was not properly compensated when shifts were swapped. The employer worked with the Department to correct its practices and ensure employees could appropriately access and use their paid leave benefits. The individual employee was paid more than $1,000. Hellcat Subs paid $7,500 in penalties to IDOL.
I Operations LLC d/b/a I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center – Champaign, Illinois
The Department investigated allegations that employees were not receiving proper paid leave accruals and that part-time employees were unable to use accrued leave. After reviewing the employer’s paid leave records, the Department found that employees were not accruing paid leave at the rate required by law, that employees could not use leave after 90 days of employment, and that the employer maintained a blanket seven-day advance notice requirement, including for unforeseeable leave requests. During the investigation, the employer corrected the issues identified by the Department and demonstrated that affected employees were made whole and were able to access and use their paid leave benefits. I Operations paid $2,500 in penalties to the Department.
The Paid Leave for All Workers Act took effect on January 1, 2024, and guarantees most Illinois workers the right to earn and use paid leave for any reason, including those that previously did not receive any employer-provided paid leave. IDOL continues to investigate complaints, educate employers and employees, and enforce compliance with the law across the state.
For more information about the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, visit Labor.Illinois.gov/paidleave.