And still, in Illinois, 62% of workers report not being able to take even unpaid leave, either because they are not eligible or because they cannot afford it. Nationally, 62% of workers in low-wage households reported they received no pay during leave. Black and Latino workers are also more likely to lack access to leave, both paid and unpaid, than white workers. 

The good news is we are working to ensure maternal health and well-being is a central focus of legislation at the federal and state levels. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which recently became federal law, helps end pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. But it may also be an important stepping stone to stronger workplace polices like paid family leave. 

In Illinois, we are continuing to push for more protections for pregnant workers. Earlier this year, Women Employed helped champion the passage of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The bill provides up to 40 hours of paid time off for any reason to Illinois workers. For pregnant workers, this means paid time off to attend critical prenatal appointments without having to worry about losing a paycheck. 

While groundbreaking, the law only provides time for short-term needs, like dealing with a cold or a flu. It does not offer enough time for bonding with or caring for a new child. That’s why we are looking to pass the Family & Medical Leave Insurance Act in Illinois. The law would create a state-run insurance program that allows Illinois workers to use up to 18 weeks of paid, job-protected leave a year. The program would be funded by a small contribution — less than 1% of wages.