This week, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) appeared with Aldermen Edward Burke and Leslie Hairston at Northwestern University to voice support for legislation that will expedite accessible, safe, clean and convenient lactation rooms for travelers at O’Hare and Midway Airports. Aldermen Burke and Hairston introduced the legislation that will expedite the creation of nursing friendly areas in each terminal at Chicago airports. Duckworth is an advocate for the issue at the national level and introduced the Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act earlier this year. The legislation would make similar reforms throughout the country and has 54 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle.

“I want to thank Aldermen Burke and Hairston for their leadership and for standing up for mothers throughout Chicagoland,” said Duckworth. “Moms shouldn’t have to worry about finding a place to breastfeed while they’re traveling; they already have enough to worry about. Unlike other public spaces, travelers have little control over the amount of time spent in airports. Missing even one needed pumping session can have several undesirable consequences, including discomfort, leaking, inflammation and infection, decreased milk supply, and ultimately, breastfeeding cessation. Aldermen Burke and Hairston’s legislation and the FAM Act will take crucial steps towards making sure mothers do not have to travel in discomfort.”