Illinois bill requiring paid break time for nursing mothers awaits Pritzker's signature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could give nursing mothers more break time to feed their babies.

Illinois employers are currently required to provide reasonable time to nursing mothers during the work day, but that time is not required to be paid.

This plan clarifies that employee time pumping breastmilk has to be paid and that employees should not be required to use paid leave during breaks.

"Some people want us to dictate a number of minutes or something," said Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). "But when you have a very young baby, you nurse them more frequently during the day. You may need more time. It lessens possibly as the year goes by. So, the idea of getting to a definition of the specific number of minutes is probably impossible."

Senate Bill 212 passed out of the House on a 82-27 vote. The proposal previously passed out of the Senate on a 50-3 vote with one senator voting present.

"When you're a new mom, you're tired, you're emotional, and you're getting back to work," said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview). "For me, we did not have that break to take care of my child. Women causes are front and center because we're saying that this is what impacted us and how we can improve it for future generations."