Today marks the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act, perhaps one of the most important pieces of legislation to demonstrate our nation's commitment to those who care for its children and families. The law has enabled millions of Americans who work for companies with 50 employees or more to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child or the illness of a family member, knowing that their job would be there when they returned.

But the FMLA is just a start. Nearly half of workers are not covered by the law because they work for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. And, most workers entitled to time off can't afford to take it without pay.

The time has come for paid family leave to take higher priority on our public agenda. Recent opinion polls show there is strong support for expanding FMLA to cover more employees and finding ways to ensure some compensation during leave.

Lawmakers across the country are beginning to hear the call. Family leave proposals have been introduced in Congress and at least 25 state legislatures--including Illinois--sparking discussion among employees, employers and policymakers about how to structure a viable program. California just became the first state to pass legislation that will guarantee a partial salary for workers who need to take a family or medical leave.

Undoubtedly, each of us will have to contribute something to make paid leave a reality for all--whether it's putting a few dollars of our weekly paycheck into an insurance pool, covering the work of an employee on leave, or tapping into our state and federal budgets. But, it will be well worth it when every mother and father has the opportunity to give their child the best possible start in life, when every son and daughter can respond when an elderly parent needs their help, when every American can take time off to heal from their own or a loved one's illness without risking their job or economic security.

Rhonda Present, Founder
ParentsWork, Evanston

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