The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought the issue of paid sick leave to the forefront of state and national policy-making. Many sick workers are forced to choose between staying home to recover and going to work to earn a paycheck. While temporary paid sick leave in the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March 2020 will help, this report considers the implications if Illinois were to enact a permanent paid sick leave law to preempt future epidemics. A total of 12 U.S. states already have these laws in place.