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Legally Moms: The Creation of the New Illinois Department of Early Childhood Offers Relief from the Motherhood Penalty

By: Leilani Ana-Maria Pino

Illinois Takes Steps to Support Working Moms in Law

Working mothers in law still face the “motherhood penalty”—lower pay, fewer promotions, and childcare challenges. Illinois is addressing this with a new Department of Early Childhood, set to improve access to affordable, quality childcare by 2026.

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ Legally Moms Committee celebrates this progress and urges law firms to adopt family-friendly policies like paid leave and flexible schedules. Together, we can help working moms thrive in their careers.

Read the full newsletter article in the WBAI Spring 2025 Newsletter on page 21.