SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson spearheaded a new law requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees.

“All women should have the peace of mind that they will have a safe, secure and private place to pump when they return to work,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “In requiring this space, we further establish workplaces as supportive and inclusive for nursing mothers.”

This law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide lactation rooms for employees to use. The rooms must be in each department facility that employs nursing mothers and each individual lactation room must meet certain requirements, such as containing electrical outlets for plugging in breast pumps and having a minimum of one refrigerator for storage of the breast milk.

“This law is necessary as it further ensures employees are comfortable and secure in the workplace throughout every stage in their lives,” said Johnson. “Mothers deserve to feel seen and supported.”

House Bill 4819 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.