July 23, 2020
Election day is official state holiday
According to a newly enacted Illinois law, November 3, 2020 -- election day --will be observed as a state holiday. The holiday declaration is only for 2020 in order to enhance opportunities to vote and promote voter safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible faculty and staff will receive paid holiday time on election day. Standard holiday pay policies will apply for those employees required to work to support essential operations.
Employees who are required to work also may be eligible for paid time off to vote under general election voting leave policies. State law grants eligible employees up to two hours of paid leave for the purpose of voting in a general election if their working hours on election day begin less than two hours after polls open and end less than two hours before polls close. Eligible employees should work with their supervisors ahead of time to schedule a time to vote when unit operations allow.
Contact labor and employee relations at ler@siu.edu or 453-6691 with questions.