NEWS

CHICAGO – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill, in partnership with Chicago Women in Trades to provide sanitary conditions, reasonable accommodations and menstrual products on job sites has passed the Senate.

“Women and anyone who menstruates have a right to care for their bodies in a dignified and sanitary way,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Whether in the office or on the job site, we need commonsense accommodations for those who menstruate and those who are lactating. This legislation uplifts women which in turn will support the trades and their hard work.”

Senate Bill 3465 would advance health, safety and economic participation for workers on Illinois construction sites — especially those who are menstruating or lactating. The bill is about safer, more humane workplaces and about ensuring our skilled Illinois workforce can participate fully in our state’s economy.

The measure would provide that if a woman or individual who menstruates is present on a worksite and there are 10 or more workers of any gender present, then a separate toilet facility shall be provided and designated for use by women and individuals who menstruate.

The bill would establish minimum sanitary conditions and require menstrual hygiene products to be available at no cost. It would further require employers to provide construction workers who are lactating with reasonable accommodations needed to express breast milk upon request and other reasonable accommodations. It also allows construction employees to call the certified local public health agency to request an inspection and prohibits retaliation by employers for such calls and provides for fees for violations of the proposal.

"For too long, the basic needs of tradeswomen and their families have been ignored by the industry,” said Cristina Barillas-McEntee, Journeyworker Plumber with Local 130 and Director of Tradeswomen Initiatives with Chicago Women in Trades. “Clean washrooms, menstrual products, and private space for nursing mothers are not special requests — they are what an inclusive worksite requires. This bill makes that the standard in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 3465 passed the Senate and heads to the House for further consideration.

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SPRINGFIELD – In the face of growing threats to higher education from the Trump administration, State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to establish academic freedom at Illinois universities passed committee.

“Places of higher education learning should be sanctuaries of free learning, debate and challenging ideas,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Students and faculty should not be pressured to suppress their political or academic opinions.”

Guzmán’s measure would provide that a faculty member of a public institution of higher education may not be directed, coerced or penalized concerning the specific content, viewpoint or method of teaching. The bill would require the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, State Community College Board and individual community college districts to adopt and enforce new rules.

These rules include creating a right for students and faculty members to freely discuss the subject matter of teaching material without fear of discipline. It also would create a right affording students and faculty members full freedom in research and in the publication of the results of that research without fear of discipline. Finally, the bill would affirm the right of faculty to publicly or privately express views on university policies and practices without fear of discipline and the right of faculty to attend a political rally, comment on political issues while off duty, without fear of discipline.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Guzmán’s bill to support survivors and strengthen higher education requirements when addressing sexual violence passed committee.

“We cannot allow sexual harassment to go unaddressed on our college campuses,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “If student survivors experience digital sexual harassment or otherwise, there must be protections for them.”

Guzmán’s bill would add definitions for sexual harassment and digital sexual harassment, requiring higher education policy regarding gender-based violence to address these major issues. The legislation would also specify that victims receive privacy protections when they meet with a campus confidential advisor.

In addition to survivor protections, the legislation would require higher education institutions to address retaliation in their policies and make supportive measures available as long as they are needed by a survivor. The bill provides guidance and gives examples of supportive measures, while ensuring that a particular course of study or major cannot be a reason to deny such measures.

According to the American Psychological Association, Campus sexual assault makes up the largest proportion of on campus crimes in the U.S., at 43%. Along with being a significant health and human rights concern, sexual violence can have a negative impact on academic performance. As of 2017, studies show up to 25% of female college students report being victims of sexual assault. Students who are LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities and those from minority ethnic communities are at an elevated risk. These statistics indicate sexual harassment on higher education campuses is a widespread and systemic problem.

“Our higher education institutions need to make sure they are not exposing student survivors to further risk when they seek help,” said Guzmán. “This legislation bolsters protections for survivors while making sure our higher education institutions provide adequate support for these survivors.”

Senate Bill 3467 has passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán is leading a measure to give residents in assisted living and shared housing facilities the option to place electronic monitoring devices in their housing..

“We need to make this change because all residents in assisted living and shared housing should be allowed the same rights to electronic monitoring as those in other long-term care settings,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Folks and their loved ones deserve peace of mind when they are placed in a long care facility.”

"Electronic monitoring device" means a surveillance instrument with a fixed position video camera or an audio recording device that is installed in a resident's room and broadcasts or records activity or sounds occurring in the room.

These devices are often used by residents to protect against abuse and neglect that may come from staff or otherwise.

Current law has several provisions protecting resident rights including a requirement for roommate consent and the ability for the residents living in the room to request the camera be shut off at any time. 

Senate Bill 3071 has passed the Senate Insurance Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.