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Study Says Illinois Better At Protecting Working Families

"cutest baby foot" by Flickr User Lisa Borbely / (CC BY 2.0)

 Illinois is doing better than many other states when it comes to implementing protections for working families.

That's according to a study by the National Partnership for Women & Families. The group's Vicki Shabo says in 2014, Illinois passed a law requiring accommodations for nursing mothers in the workforce. But she wants to see the state expand other rules.  These include giving more than 3 months of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or seriously ill family member.

"It could also adopt a paid sick days law, like the city of Chicago did recently, so that workers are earning an hour of paid sick time for every 30 or so hours they are on the job up to a limit of a reasonable amount of days per year," she said.  

Currently, Illinois doesn't require employers to provide pay for new moms or dads who take time off.    The organization is also lobbying Congress to establish a paid family and medical leave insurance program. 

Rachel's reports currently focus on education and equity. She's also reported extensively on arts, community & diverse culture.