Eligibility

Civil Service employees in status, trainee, learner, or apprentice appointments, and all academic employees who are members of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or of any other reserve component of the Illinois State Militia for any period actively spent in military service, in accordance with State and Federal law, are eligible for military leave.

Approval

Employees should receive approval from their appropriate supervisor or campus executive officer. Such leave will be granted whether or not within the State and whether or not voluntary.

Leave of Absence Information and Form
Leave of Absence Information (PDF)
Leave of Absence Information (Rich Text Format)
Leave of Absence Worksheet (PDF form to be ​completed online before printing​. If the PDF fails to load, then download and complete the form before printing.)

Length of Leave

There are no restrictions on the length of leave granted for military leave.

Benefits Continuation

Benefits shall be continued by the University as mandated by State and Federal legislation. Employees should contact the campus University Payroll and Benefits (UPB) Benefits Services office for complete information about continuation of insurance coverage and any premium payments.

Compensation

Compensation provisions vary based on the reason for leave.

Annual, Special, Advanced, and Basic Training
Compensation is in accordance with the Illinois Military Leave of Absence Act. If the leave is with pay, compensation is at the employee's regular hourly rate for non-overtime scheduled hours. An employee taking military leave is required to furnish copies of military orders and proof of military compensation prior to processing of payment by the University.

• Annual Training: Employee receives regular compensation as a University employee.

• Special or Advanced Training: For leaves up to 60 scheduled work days during a University academic year (August 16 - August 15), if the employee's compensation for military activities is less than his/her University compensation, the employee shall receive regular University compensation minus the amount of base pay for military activities for normally scheduled work days. The 60 days do not have to be consecutive.

• Basic Training: If the employee's compensation for military activities is less than his/her University compensation, the employee shall receive regular University compensation minus the amount of base pay for military activities for normally scheduled work days.

• Call-Up for Active Duty: Active duty refers to a call up for deployment or mobilization in support of a named operation overseas, and in some cases for an emergency or disaster in the United States.

Employees called for active duty shall receive leave with pay for normally scheduled work days for up to 30 calendar days. Compensation will be at the employee's regularly hourly rate for non-overtime scheduled hours.

If call-up is extended beyond 30 calendar days, the employee will be granted leave without pay for such additional days or will be granted leave and compensated as mandated by Federal or State of Illinois legislation.

Returning from Leave

In accordance with provisions of the Service Men's Employment Tenure Act, the Military Selective Service Act and the Employment and Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services Act, an employee returning from leave for military service will be restored to the position of employment which the employee left, with the same increases in status, seniority, and wages that were earned during the term of military service by employees in like positions, or to a position of like seniority, status, and pay, unless the University's circumstances have so changed as to make it impossible or unreasonable to do so, or if the employee's position was temporary. Reemployment of Civil Service employees in provisional appointments will also be subject to Section 250.70(b) of the State Universities Civil Service Statute and Rules concerning conditions for provisional appointments.

Employees returning from leave must have received a certificate or other evidence of honorable discharge or satisfactory completion of military service, and must make application for reemployment within 90 days after being relieved from military service, or from hospitalization continuing after discharge for a period of not more than one year.

Employees must be still qualified to perform the duties of the position of employment from which leave was taken. If, as a result of military service, the employee is not physically or mentally qualified to perform the duties of the former position, the employee will be restored to a position for which he or she is qualified and able to perform the duties and which will provide the similar seniority, status, and pay, or the nearest approximation thereof, consistent with the circumstances of the case. Restoral to such a position is not required if it would cause undue hardship to the University.

Resources

Select the appropriate campus and/or employee group for specific information.

Civil Service Statute and Rules
Section 250.40 Military Service Preference, Veterans Preference

Policy and Rules for Civil Service Staff
Military Leave

University Policies
Urbana: Jury Duty and Military Leave for Academic Staff Members
Chicago: Military Leave
Springfield: Contact the campus Human Resources office.