On Friday, May 9, members from District U-46 Educational Assistants (DUEA) stood with Sen. Tammy Duckworth as she announced the ESP Family Leave Act. This legislation would update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help more educational support professionals access its benefits without the risk of losing their jobs. Because some ESPs work only during the school year or fewer than eight hours a day, many struggle to clear FMLA’s 1,250 hours of service threshold. The ESP Family Leave Act would update the FMLA so all ESPs who work more than 60 percent of the total monthly hours expected for their specific roles are able to access this benefit. Pictured in the photos are Paulette Rogers who shared her story at the press conference, former ESP of the Year Tina Pizzitola and DUEA President Sara Moeller.
