Nursing mothers extra break time to feed babies passes IL Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan to give working moms more time to feed their babies passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday.

It would give an additional break time at work for moms to feed their babies. This would not impact their other break times. So, under the plan, employers can't dock paid break time away from lunch during the mothers paid break time to feed their baby.

The bill passed out of the Senate floor with minimal discussion. In a past press conference, state Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) said when she was a nursing mom, she struggled to find the time to feed her baby, and doesn't want the future generation of moms to feel the same.

"When you're a new mom and you're tired, you're emotional and you're getting back to work, for me we did not have that break to take care of my child," Fine said.

"Women causes are front and center cause we're saying that this is what impacted us, how can we improve it for future generations."

Some GOP lawmakers voted against the bill, who said the idea is good, but is giving too much break time for working moms.

The plan passed on a 50-3 vote. It now heads to the House, where lawmakers could talk about it in the coming weeks.