Treasurer extends benefits to gay, lesbian employees
June 13, 2010|By Kristen Mack, Tribune reporter
With six months left in his four-year term, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias signed an executive order on Sunday extending family-leave benefits to gay and lesbian employees in domestic partnerships.
The new policy will allow gay and lesbian employees of his office to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sick partner or relative, the same benefit given to their married co-workers. It also would allow gay and lesbian employees to take time off for the birth or adoption of a child.
“These aren’t added bonuses or employee perks,” Giannoulias said. “These are the same basic rights other employees have long come to expect.”
