How Much Vacation Time Do State of Illinois Employees Get?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re considering working for the State of Illinois, one of the questions you might have is how much vacation time you’ll be entitled to. The answer to this question depends on a few different factors, including your job title and how long you’ve been working for the state.

Standard Vacation Time for State Employees

In general, most full-time state employees are entitled to at least two weeks (10 workdays) of paid vacation per year. This is true regardless of whether you’re a new employee or if you’ve been with the state for several years.

Additional Vacation Time for Long-Term Employees

However, if you’ve been with the state for a longer period of time, you may be eligible for additional vacation time. For example, employees who have worked for the state for more than 10 years receive three weeks (15 workdays) of vacation per year. Those who have worked for more than 20 years receive four weeks (20 workdays) of vacation per year.

Vacation Time Accrual

It’s important to note that vacation time doesn’t typically accrue all at once at the beginning of each calendar year. Instead, it usually accrues gradually over time as you work. For example, if you’re entitled to two weeks of vacation per year and you start your job in January, you’ll need to work until roughly mid-year before you’ve accrued enough vacation time to take those two weeks off.

Other Paid Time Off Options

In addition to standard vacation time, many state employees are also entitled to other types of paid time off. These can include sick days (which are typically accrued separately from vacation time), personal days, and holidays.

Sick Days

Sick days are designed to give employees paid time off when they’re ill or injured and can’t come to work. In general, full-time state employees accrue one sick day per month worked. There’s typically no limit to how many sick days an employee can accumulate.

Personal Days

Personal days are similar to vacation days in that they’re designed to give employees time off for personal reasons (like a family event or a doctor’s appointment). However, they’re usually accrued separately from vacation time and may have different rules about how they can be used.

Holidays

State employees are also entitled to paid time off on certain holidays throughout the year. These holidays may include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Conclusion

In summary, state employees in Illinois are generally entitled to at least two weeks of paid vacation per year. However, this amount can increase depending on how long you’ve been with the state.

Additionally, many state employees are entitled to other types of paid time off like sick days and holidays. If you’re considering working for the State of Illinois or another government agency, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these policies so you know what kind of benefits you’ll be entitled to as an employee.