Illinois grants NICU parents unpaid leave for newborns in intensive care

Illinois has become the second state in the U.S. to offer NICU-specific leave for parents. The new law allows mothers and fathers to take extra time off when their newborns require intensive care. Colorado remains the only other state with a similar paid leave policy. Emily Niemiec’s son, Shane, arrived 15 weeks early and spent 109 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. His medical bills alone exceeded $3 million. Niemiec’s husband had to return to work after just one week because he lacked additional leave.

The Illinois Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act now provides unpaid leave for parents working at companies with 16 or more employees. Eligible parents can take 10 or 20 days, depending on their employer’s size. This leave can be used after exhausting time under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

Shane is now nearly one year old and thriving. The Illinois Department of Labor will oversee enforcement of the new law. The legislation aims to support families during extended NICU stays. Parents no longer face the same pressure to return to work while their newborns remain hospitalised. Illinois joins Colorado as the only states with dedicated NICU leave protections.