Welch Joins Equal Rights Amendment Supporters to Call for Ratification

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, joined activists from across the state to advocate for the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois.

“As a husband and father to my daughter, I was proud to stand with women at the Capitol to push for greater gender equity and urge the ratification of the ERA in Illinois,” Welch said. “Given the lack of leadership Donald Trump is offering on women’s issues and women’s health, it’s urgent that we do everything we can to stand up for women’s rights at the state level.”

Welch is cosponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4 (SJRCA 4), which proposes to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution and further prohibit gender discrimination at the state and federal level. With the passage of SJRCA 4, Illinois would be the 37th state to ratify the ERA—bringing the U.S. within one state of the 38 states required for the amendment to be ratified nationally.

“On behalf of ERA Illinois, I thank Rep. Chris Welch for his support of the Equal Rights Amendment and equality for all,” said Michelle Fadeley, Illinois NOW President and ERA Illinois Coalition Founder. “We encourage his colleagues to vote “yes” with him to ratify SJRCA4 in Illinois this legislative session.”