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Morton Grove consideration of Cook County paid-leave ordinance raises concerns for Skokie SD 69
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Clauson told the Board Morton Grove is weighing an exemption of public schools from the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance and said district leaders asked County Commissioner Josina Morita to consider an exemption because additional leave could worsen substitute coverage and affect student achievement per ISBE research.
Dr. Margaret Clauson, Superintendent of Skokie School District 69 (Skokie SD 69), reported on recent meetings with Morton Grove and county leaders about the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance.
Clauson said Morton Grove officials are considering adopting an ordinance to exempt public schools from the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance. She relayed that superintendents and boards asked County Commissioner Josina Morita to support an exemption for public schools, arguing that School Code leave requirements and ISBE guidance already establish leave expectations and that additional unrestricted leave creates substitute-coverage challenges.
Clauson cited ISBE when describing the academic impact of staff absences: “According to ISBE, the research strongly concludes that teacher absences in excess of 10 days have a negative impact on student achievement.” She also told the Board the County ordinance’s allowance for staff to use time in two‑hour increments can create substitute coverage problems for schools.
The Board received this as an informational update; no local change was adopted at the Oct. 15 meeting.
