A new law has been signed in Illinois, strengthening workplace rights for nursing mothers. The legislation, an amendment to the state’s Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, ensures that employees who need to express breast milk for their infants are not only guaranteed reasonable break time, but will now receive full compensation during these breaks.

Previously, Illinois employers were required to provide reasonable unpaid break time for employees to express milk. Under the new law, employers must compensate nursing mothers at their regular rate of pay for break time taken to express milk during the first year after a child’s birth. The law further protects workers by stating employers cannot require employees to use paid leave for these breaks, nor may they reduce a nursing mother’s compensation in any way as a result of taking necessary time to express milk.

The law applies to all Illinois employers, with only one exception: if providing paid break time would impose an “undue hardship,” as defined by the Illinois Human Rights Act, on the employer. The break time may run concurrently with any existing break time provided to employees.

The bill, sponsored by state lawmakers and supported by maternal health organizations, takes immediate effect and marks a significant policy shift toward supporting working families in Illinois.