State Senators Laura Fine and Doris Turner held a press conference Tuesday to introduce two measures that would support new mothers when it comes to feeding their babies.

Fine’s measure, Senate Bill 212, would require employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time to nursing mothers so they may express or "pump" breast milk for their child. Under current law, employers are required to provide a reasonable amount of time to nursing mothers to pump breast milk during the day. However, there’s no requirement that it be paid time and reasonable is not defined.

The Turner-led measure, Senate Bill 206, would require Medicaid to provide hypoallergenic formula when prescribed by a physician. Currently, Illinois' Women, Infants and Children program allows only certain infant formulas to be purchased using WIC funds, including one hypoallergenic option.

Senate Bill 212 is assigned to the Senate Labor Committee. Senate Bill 206 is assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.