Delgado Advances Measure Promoting Gender Equality in Professional Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, is promoting gender equality in professional sports by passing a bill that levels the playing field by ensuring that women’s
professional teams have the opportunity to access public infrastructure funds.

“In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of women’s professional teams across many different sports, and it's time they are given the opportunity to receive the public
infrastructure that has long been afforded to men’s teams,” said Delgado. “Equitably funding women’s professional sports facilities would help remedy a lack of support for funding women’s
professional sports in our state.”

Delgado’s House Bill 2772 would prohibit gender-based disparities in sports facilities that fall under the Illinois Sports Authority Act or that are supported by bonds from the state. Under this bill, professional women’s sports teams would be eligible to be considered for public infrastructure funding– an opportunity that has traditionally been reserved for men’s professional teams. Any future funding of men’s and women’s professional sports facilities by the state must be granted in an equitable way.

“Women’s professional sports teams have often been overlooked and underfunded when compared to men’s professional sports teams, even though we've won just as many titles and championships,” said Delgado. “I am proud to spearhead this measure that elevates women’s professional sports investment to the same level as men’s professional sports teams.” Delgado’s bill has passed in the House and moves to the Senate for consideration.