Yingling Pushes for Approval of Equal Rights Amendment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is pushing to include gender equality in the United States Constitution by sponsoring legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois.

“Full equality under our laws is decades overdue,” Yingling said. “We need two more states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment before it can be implemented at the federal level of government. We are very close to finally making progress here at home and guaranteeing that women in our country finally receive equal treatment and protections not just under the law, but with full constitutional protection.”

Yingling is a sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which requires supermajority support in both the House and Senate and would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois. The ERA was initially passed by Congress in 1972, but has yet to receive the necessary support from 38 states. Presently, 36 states have approved the amendment.

If ratified, the ERA would prohibit the denial of equal rights by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Additionally, Congress would have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of the amendment. The amendment would take effect two years after ratification by 38 states.

“Equal treatment under the law is not a partisan issue,” Yingling said. “It’s a human rights issue that knows no political, race, gender or class barriers. Our constitution is meant to protect all Americans and it’s time for Illinois to take action on this issue.”