Stuart-Sponsored Measure to Uplift Working Mothers in the Workplace

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is working to protect nursing mothers in the workplace by advancing a bill that would require employers to provide paid break time to an employee who needs to express breast milk and prohibits employers from forcing nursing mothers to use their paid leave to express breast milk.

“The year after becoming a mother, whether that be for the first time or again, can be very difficult for many mothers and if they choose to return to work, they should not have to worry about needing to use their paid break or leave time to express breast milk,” said Stuart. “We need to support our mothers in every way we can, including in the workplace.”

The Stuart-sponsored Senate Bill 212 expands on the protections guaranteed to working mothers in the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act by defining “reasonable” in the requirement for employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk. Additionally, the bill requires employers to compensate nursing mothers at their regular pay rate and nursing mothers cannot be forced to use their paid leave to express breast milk.

“Needing to express breast milk after giving birth is natural and our working mothers should not be unfairly punished for a natural process,” said Stuart. “Illinois has made great strides in increasing workplace protections for working mothers, particularly nursing mothers, and this bill further increases the workplace protections the state guarantees new mothers.”

The Stuart-sponsored bill passed in the Senate, passed in the House Labor & Commerce Committee and now moves to the House floor for consideration.