­SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that saving a life does not come at the cost of employment, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation to give employees up to ten days of paid leave for serving as an organ donor.

"We have outstanding residents in Illinois who are ready to give and donate to those in need," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “When someone goes to donate an organ for a person in need, it is crucial they are able to take time off to recover."

House Bill 3516 changes the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act to allow employees to take up to ten days of earned leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor. The earned leave would apply to employees of any unit of local government, board of election commissioners, or private employer in Illinois with 51 or more employees.

"We are prioritizing saving lives," said Villivalam. "Our residents who donate organs deserve the decency and respect to recover on their own time, and this legislation ensures their ability to do so.”

House Bill 3516 passed the Senate on Wednesday.

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