Northfield board adopts ordinance to assert conflict with Cook County paid-leave rule and protect schools, parks

The Northfield Village Board on Tuesday adopted an amendment to the village code clarifying that, under its home-rule authority, Northfield will assert a conflict with a Cook County paid-leave ordinance and exempt school districts and park districts from the county rule.

Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton addressed the board in his official capacity and urged the village to opt out, calling the county ordinance an "unfunded mandate" that removed an exclusion for schools and park districts and could harm staffing and budgets at local institutions. "I can tell you that this is an unusual place for me to be because I'm here to urge you to opt out of an ordinance of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on which I serve," Britton said.

Mallory, a village staff member, summarized the proposed amendment and the background: Northfield already has an ordinance that conflicted with Cook County's earlier sick-leave ordinance and the August county changes effectively extended county paid-leave provisions. The amendment clarifies the village's intent that the existing local conflict covers the county changes and explicitly preserves exemptions for schools and park districts. "They approached us asking us to specifically adopt this ordinance and exempt them," Mallory said regarding the school district and park district.

Trustees moved and seconded the ordinance, and the deputy clerk called the roll. The board recorded affirmative votes and the motion carried. The ordinance language asserts a conflict between the village code and the Cook County ordinance and relies on Northfield's home-rule authority to limit the county rule's application to local government entities the village deemed appropriate to exempt.

The measure follows Commissioner Britton’s outreach to municipalities in the district and staff confirmation that local school and park officials requested the village’s action. The village did not change its obligations under Illinois state law for private employers; the adopted text seeks only to preserve the village’s prior local exemptions for certain public entities.

The village clerk recorded the ordinance adoption; staff said they would follow up with implementation steps and communicate with affected local entities.