CHICAGO (AP) — New guidelines aimed at preventing workplace discrimination against pregnant women were signed into law by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn this week, a move backers say extends protections already in place for other workers.

The legislation was prompted by safety and health concerns for expectant mothers and their children, said sponsors state Rep. Mary Flowers and Sen. Toi Hutchinson, both Democrats. Quinn’s office cited a federal U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity study showing a major increase — more than 70 percent — in the number of pregnancy discrimination claims from 1992 to 2011.