SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s legislation, developed in partnership with Chicago Women in Trades, to improve sanitation, workplace accommodations and access to menstrual products on construction jobsites has been signed into law.
“Every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and have access to safe, sanitary working conditions,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “For too long, construction workers who menstruate, are pregnant or are lactating have been expected to work without the most basic accommodations. These are not special privileges. They are common-sense workplace standards that help more women and transgender folks to enter, stay in and thrive in the trades.”
Senate Bill 3465 strengthens health, safety and workplace dignity for construction workers across Illinois by establishing basic sanitation standards, expanding accommodations for workers who menstruate or are lactating, and helping ensure that more people can build long-term careers in the skilled trades.
The law requires that when a worker who menstruates is present on a construction site with 10 or more workers, employers must provide a separate restroom designated for workers who menstruate.
The law also establishes minimum sanitation standards, requires menstrual hygiene products to be available at no cost, strengthens workplace accommodations for workers who are lactating, protects employees who report violations from retaliation, and gives workers a clear process for requesting public health inspections.
"For too long, the basic needs of tradeswomen and their families have been ignored by the industry,” said Cristina Barillas-McEntee, Journeyworker, a 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 law makes that the standard in Illinois.”
Senate Bill 3465 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
