However, the employee may enter into an agreement with their employer. Under the Minimum Wage Law and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, an employer is obligated to pay an employee for all time worked.Illinois became the third state to mandate employers provide paid leave "for any reason". The new leave policy begins on January 1, 2024. Under Illinois law, there is no specific requirement for employers to pay extra wages for working on holidays, including Thanksgiving. Is holiday pay mandatory for Illinois state holidays in 2025? An individual who receives holiday pay shall be deemed to have received wages for a normal work day on the day the holiday occurs or is celebrated. A holiday is not limited to official legal holidays. I would say no, paid holidays would not count under the new law. It is very clear that the leave is to be used at the employee's choosing.