Mussman Votes to Ratify Equal Rights Amendment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Yesterday the Illinois House of Representatives followed the Senate in voting to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.  After the historic vote, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, issued the following statement:

“Last night, lawmakers from around the state showed that they want Illinois to be on the right side of history, and came together to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.  This vote is so significant, because Illinois is now the 37th out of the 38 states necessary to ratify the ERA. Adding the ERA to the United States Constitution is essential, because it will ensure protection and constitutionally guarded freedoms for women across the nation.

“Women from across the country and throughout our state have been fighting this fight for decades, and it was heartening to see their many years of hard work come to fruition in Illinois.  Thankfully, Illinois has protected women from gender-based discrimination in our state constitution for decades, and I feel that it was our duty to ratify the ERA, expanding these protections for women throughout the country.

“While the work here is not done, Illinois has given the Equal Rights Amendment one huge step forward, making it that much closer to becoming a reality.  I want to thank my colleagues from around the state for their support in an endeavor for equality for all.”