Villa Highlights 100 Years of Suffrage for Illinois Women

BATAVIA, Ill. – To commemorate the women’s suffrage movement and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is sponsoring a new resolution to remember Illinois as the first state to ratify suffrage and the 72-year fight to achieve a woman’s right to vote in the United States.

“While the fight for women’s equality is far from over, it is important to remember how far we have come and celebrate wins and milestones like 100 years of suffrage for American women,” said Villa. “Illinois was a leader in 1919 by being the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, and I am proud to support measures to help Illinois continue to be a leader for women today both in workplace equality and access to reproductive health care.”

On June 10, 1919, Illinois was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. After being ratified by 36 states total, the 19th Amendment became law and granted women the right to vote. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and the passage of the suffrage amendment, Villa is sponsoring House Resolution 623.

During her time in Springfield, Villa has championed initiatives like House Bill 834, which cracks down on discriminatory hiring practices that lock women into career-long pay inequity, and Senate Bill 25, the Reproductive Health Act, which protects women’s access to reproductive health care.

“The battle for women’s right to vote was long-fought and the ultimate passage of the 19th Amendment was hard-earned,” continued Villa. “I will continue working to pass creative and smart solutions to support women across Illinois and address the problems we face today.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.