A breastfeeding parent who is not able to regularly nurse or express breast milk through pumping is likely to experience pain, discomfort, and engorgement, and may be at risk for possible infection and/or a reduction in the amount of breast milk produced.
Will your administration insure that every municipal building and office is accessible for breastfeeding parents, including a private, non-restroom space for parents who need to pump breast milk and provide staff training on the rights of breast-feeding parents?
DOROTHY BROWN: |
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I believe this issue highlights the disparate treatment of women in a world run mostly by men. Child care responsibilities still fall heavily on the shoulders of mothers, especially the working moms who struggle to make ends meet. The least that the City can do is provide a safe, secure and private area for mothers who need to pump breast milk. As Mayor, I will require an assessment be done of each municipal building to determine where an appropriate space can be set up to accommodate mothers who pump breast milk. This would apply to employees and customers. The findings and recommendations would be included in the City’s capital plan and budget. |
GERY CHICO: |
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A parent friendly work environment is vital to any workforce and my administration will provide all necessary accommodations. |
BILL DALEY:
DID NOT RESPOND.
AMARA ENYIA: |
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| Absolutely. Breastfeeding is an important part of the nurturing process for young children, and is one of the best ways to ensure the health of a growing baby; breast feeding mothers should have access to discrete but readily available spaces that enable them to perform the most basic of their responsibilities in municipal building and offices. Trainings will also be implemented, so as to ensure that mothers are respected by on-site staff, with access to privacy without harassment in fulfilling their maternal responsibility. |
BOB FIORETTI:
DID NOT RESPOND.
LA SHAWN FORD: |
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| Yes, this is not a controversial issue, it just needs the will of the leadership. Like many of the questions here, this should have happened in our city long ago. |
JERRY JOYCE:
DID NOT RESPOND.
JOHN KOZLAR: |
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LORI LIGHTFOOT: |
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| The city must provide private, secure, non-restroom space for parents who need to pump breast milk, whether they are city employees or visitors, and I will work to make that happen. In addition, the city must provide training to employees so they are aware of these spaces and can provide assistance to one another and to non-city employees who need to access to these spaces. |
GARRY McCARTHY: |
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This is a basic human accommodation that a civil society should make to a mother who needs to pump breast milk in a dignified and respectful manner. |
SUSANA MENDOZA: |
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TONI PRECKWINKLE: |
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| As a matter of health and safety, it is essential that breastfeeding parents have proper facilities. There are already lactation spaces in municipal buildings and offices, including the Daley Center and many Chicago courthouses. As Mayor, I would ensure city-owned buildings are similarly equipped with appropriate space for parents to nurse. |
NEAL SALES-GRIFFIN:
DID NOT RESPOND.
PAUL VALLAS: |
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| We will provide the facilities for breastfeeding parents. One would hope that there would not be a need for special training on sensitivity towards breastfeeding parents. People will understand the rules, rights, and expectations of the spaces to accommodate these individuals. I have done this before and it did not require special training. As the husband of a wife who breastfed at least two of my children while working, there did not seem to be a need for training. |
WILLIE WILSON:
DID NOT RESPOND.
