Doug Knight’s family has owned Springfield’s amusement park, Knight’s Action Park since 1930, for 43 years.
The pandemic was a bear – Knight fought to keep his doors open, and when they closed for COVID-19, he pushed to reopen as soon as possible. Inflation has also become an obstacle. From the main inflatable tubes to chlorine for pools, prices have risen for “everything we buy,” and now the new Illinois law represents “another bump in the road” for business owners, he said.
On Monday, Illinois became one of three US states to mandate paid time off “for any reason,” up to 40 hours per year for full-time employees. Small business owners in Illinois say they understand the importance of taking care of their workers, but some view the paid leave requirement as a burden on the government.
“When you hit a big bump and come off a cliff, what’s in it for you?” Knight said.
The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024. Employees will be entitled to one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to a total of 40 hours, and can start using that time once they have worked for 90 days.
Knight and his brother, co-owner, mainly employ seasonal employees not covered by the measure, but they must give paid leave to 10 workers round the year. The veteran business owner says he’s not worried and will do whatever it takes, even if consumers end up paying the difference.
But supporters say the policy supports business owners and workers, and ensures paid leave will promote a healthier and more productive workforce.
“If people have the paid time off they need, they can stay home when they’re sick,” said Molly Weston Williamson, who tracks paid leave policy at the research and advocacy center Center for American Progress.
For business owners who are worried that the law will cause tension amid a difficult economic situation, Williamson stressed that Chicago and Cook County have had similar rules since 2017, and the fear of devastating economic consequences never came out.
In fact, “our economy can’t afford those benefits,” Williamson said. “We can’t afford to pay for people losing their jobs. We can’t afford to pay for people who are sick because they don’t get the care they need. We can’t afford the impact on the health care system.
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said in the bill there is a sign that the law in particular will help low-wage workers, who are less likely to have paid time off and who are disproportionately Black, Latino, and women.
“Thanks to this measure, workers have peace of mind that they can take care of themselves today without worrying about the consequences tomorrow,” said Gordon-Booth.
Christell Frausto, co-owner of TequilaRia Wine and Spirits in Peoria, said she sees paid leave as an “investment” and hopes other business owners do too.
Frausto, 38, said he has accommodated employees who need flexibility for emergencies, illnesses or personal events. She opened a boutique-style store focusing on specialty products including women-owned brands and organic, gluten-free or low-calorie options two years ago.
The pandemic is a clear sign that prioritizing workers is a necessary strategy for business owners, said Frausto, who hopes the new legislation will give them time to budget and prepare.
“They’re part of my team,” she said of her employees. “My interest is to take care of them like my customers. I have to make sure they have a balance in life and work.
For Sandy and Dave Schoenborn, the couple who own the Lincoln Theater in Belleville, Illinois, the state mandate is a major concern. “I’m pretty worried,” Sandy Schoeborn said. “Unless business gets better, it’s going to be a strain.”
Paid leave is something employees are entitled to, not entitled to, he said. “I can’t say no. If I had a big event and everyone decided to leave, I would be devastated.
Knight, the owner of the Springfield amusement park, said he does his best to take care of his employees. “If they have a reason, they can take off the day” without pay, he said.
“The car broke down, the mother got sick, had to take the dog to the vet… everything is important for the staff. But you can’t close the business because everyone wants to leave because there is a concert,” he said.
The pandemic, inflation, utility prices – “everything seems to be increasing,” and mandatory paid leave are now another obstacle for business owners.
“It just drives costs up, drives prices up, and consumers pay the bills,” Knight said.
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Savage is a corps member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on hidden issues.