By Rabail Sofi
Illinois has taken a notable step towards making workplaces more inclusive for women in one of the most traditionally male-dominated industries. With Governor Pritzker’s signing of SB 3465, the state has indicated that it is time for construction sites to evolve to accommodate women and gender-diverse individuals in the construction workforce.
Led by Sen. Graciela Guzmán (D-20) and Rep. Theresa Mah (D-24), the legislation addresses what has long been ignored: women and gender-diverse workers on job sites have gone without adequate facilities, basic protections, and dignity. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2027.
The Reality of Construction Worksites
Construction has historically been one of the least inclusive industries in the country. And bathrooms on construction sites have long been a point of vulnerability for women and gender-expansive people. When separate facilities exist at all, they’re often poorly maintained, lack basic privacy, and are targets for harassment and obscene graffiti.
For workers who menstruate, something as basic as access to a clean and private space hasn’t always been available to them. For nursing mothers, the situation can be even more difficult as expressing milk requires time, privacy, and sanitation, none of which are guaranteed at all job sites. As a result of this lack of basic accommodations, many workers either have to endure harsh harassment for years or leave the industry.
An Overdue Shift in the Construction Industry
The new legislation, led by Chicago Women in Trades, not only acknowledges these challenges but also provides clear, practical solutions. At its core, the bill establishes straightforward, equitable standards for workers who menstruate and those who express milk.
On construction sites with women and people who menstruate present, workers must be provided menstrual products at no cost and given adequate time to use restrooms, taking into account the multiple layers of protective clothing they wear.
In addition, on sites with 10 or more workers, employers must now provide a dedicated restroom for women or those who menstruate. This accommodation must be clearly marked with signage and have a secure internal latch. For lactating workers, the bill reinforces and expands protections under the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act. Upon request, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations, which can include flexible breaks, access to a private and secure space to express milk, on-site refrigeration or a comparable item, and a nearby water source for sanitation.
“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 at 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.”
Why This Bill Matters
While this bill may seem like a minor workplace policy at first glance, it supports something much bigger. The construction industry in Illinois continues to face significant labor shortages. At the same time, more women and gender-diverse workers are entering the workforce than ever before, but their retention rates are substantially low due to systemic gender discriminatory practices in the industry.
When workers feel safe and their basic needs are met, they stay. This bill supports retention, reduces turnover, and strengthens Illinois’ construction workforce because a strong workforce is one that evolves to meet the needs of the people building it.
“The hardworking people of the trades should not be worried that their bodies will impact their work in a negative way or vice versa. The common sense requirements in this bill will ensure sanitary standards are met, and job site work is unimpeded,” said Sen. Graciela Guzmán.
