Illinois passed a law (PA 98-1050) requiring that employers of any size make reasonable accommodations arising out of pregnancy. The law relates to accommodations while the employee is pregnant, recovering from childbirth, and if the employee is having common medical conditions associated with being pregnant.
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless the employer can show an undue hardship. Reasonable accommodations are reasonable, temporary changes that let an individual do the essential functions of a job while pregnant or recovering from childbirth. Employers cannot retaliate against an employee who requests a reasonable accommodation.
In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Human Rights processes employment discrimination claims.
Under federal law, the EEOC enforces the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Notably, the EEOC regards inquiry into whether an applicant intends to become pregnant as evidence of employment discrimination.