2026-10-12 Village of Villa Park Board Meeting COTW

The Village of Villa Park Board Committee of the Whole met on October 12, 2026, to discuss revisions to the village’s paid parental leave policy. Staff presented prior-year program data and proposed reducing paid leave to six weeks and requiring it to be taken continuously within 90 days of the qualifying event. The discussion cited scheduling and staffing pressures, particularly in police and fire operations, where absences may require overtime or mandatory shift coverage; a board member said the program’s costs, including backfill overtime, approached $200,000. Staff estimated eight or nine employees had used the benefit, and board members also discussed employee benefits, comparable municipalities, and the effects of allowing leave to be spread over a longer period.

Several trustees expressed support for the proposed revisions, and a public commenter also endorsed six weeks of leave within 90 days. The transcript shows discussion and public comment, but no vote adopting the parental-leave changes or other procurement or spending action. The only recorded motion was to adjourn, which passed by roll call.