Emanuel Wants Maternity Leave For City Workers
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledges his administration is looking at offering paid maternity leave for city workers, for the first time in Chicago history.
As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, the city does not currently offer any kind of maternity leave – paid or unpaid – to its female employees.
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But Mayor Emanuel says he has asked Human Resources Commissioner Soo Choi to look into offering the benefit, even at a time when the administration is trying to cut costs.
"I don't think we can afford not to," Emanuel said. "I think it's time for Chicago – as it relates to its employment policy – to come into the 21st century."
The mayor says he wants the city to offer something in line with the private sector, where six weeks' paid maternity leave is common.
The mayor spoke on the rooftop garden at City Hall, where he announced he is beefing up the World Business Chicago operation, which tries to attract businesses to the city.
