IDHR Reminder: Law protecting the rights
of pregnant women in Illinois takes effect January 1st
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[December 27, 2014]
CHICAGO–-December 22, 2014. With
2015 quickly approaching, Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
Director Rocco Claps is reminding employers that a measure providing
job protection for pregnant women goes into effect on January 1st
and employers are required to post information about it in the
workplace.
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Public Act 98-1050, sponsored by State Rep. Mary
E. Flowers (D-Chicago) and State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago
Heights), and signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn in August,
requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations and safe
working conditions for expectant mothers so that they can
continue working without fear of endangering their health or the
health of the child. Provisions include limits on heavy lifting
and assistance in manual labor; access to places to sit; more
frequent restroom breaks; time off to recover from childbirth;
and private break space for breast-feeding and expressing breast
milk.
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A poster summarizing requirements of the new law, including the
right to be free from unlawful discrimination and information on
how to file a discrimination charge, can be downloaded from the
IDHR website at
www.Illinois.gov/IDHR. The poster and detailed fact
sheets about the law are available in English and Spanish.
“It’s important for employers to ensure that they post this
information in a conspicuous location in the workplace, where
notices to employees are usually posted,” Director Claps said.
“We have made the process as easy as possible by providing it
for download from our website.”
Anyone who needs help under the new law or has questions may
contact IDHR at 312-814-6200 (Chicago), (217) 785-5100
(Springfield), or 866-740-3953 (TTY).
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The Illinois Human Rights Act protects
individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), marital
status, disability, military status, familial status, sexual
orientation (including gender identity) or unfavorable military
discharge. Further information is available at
www.illinois.gov/dhr
[Illinois Department of Human Rights]
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