wellness
Mental Health Days Chicago: Logan Square Worker Rights
Logan Square workers can now request paid mental health days under new Chicago rules. Find free local wellness programs and understand your workplace rights.
How we reported this
City rules updated on July 1 now require Chicago employers with more than 50 staff to offer paid mental health days without penalty. Logan Square employees at firms along Milwaukee Avenue have already filed 47 requests in the first week.
Workplace stress has risen sharply since the start of 2026. A May survey by the Chicago Department of Public Health found 62 percent of local office and service workers reported daily anxiety tied to job demands. The same data showed one in four missed at least three shifts last quarter because of unmanaged pressure. These numbers match trends tracked by the same department in 2024 but sit eight points higher.
Local programs in reach
Two Logan Square sites now run free or low-cost sessions tied directly to the new city rules. The Logan Square Branch Library on Milwaukee Avenue hosts weekly 90-minute workshops every Tuesday at 6 p.m. that cover how to request accommodations under the updated ordinance. The Kedzie Avenue Community Center offers eight-week stress management groups that began July 6; the first cohort of 22 people meets on the second floor and costs $15 for the full series.
Both locations accept walk-ins and provide Spanish-language materials. The library program uses a city hotline number posted on its front desk, while the community center pairs participants with a licensed counselor from the North River Commission for follow-up calls.
Next steps for workers
Employees can start by printing the one-page rights summary available at either site or by calling the city’s workplace wellness line at 312-744-5000. Those who attend the Tuesday library session receive a template letter to submit to human resources. The community center groups end with a certificate that some local employers now accept as proof of completing required training.
Residents who want to track personal progress can log daily mood entries on a free app the library promotes during its sessions. The next open house at the Kedzie Avenue center is scheduled for July 18 at 5:30 p.m.