Manley and Women’s Caucus Look Ahead to Spring Session, Underscore Need to Protect Rights

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, continues to bring the voices of women from her district to Springfield, through her membership in the Illinois House Democrats’ Women’s Caucus, as it reconvened for the new session earlier this week. Locally, Rep. Manley hosts a reoccurring forum for constituents to engage directly with lawmakers and share their insights for future policy development, called the Women’s Legislative Advisory Committee (WLAC). State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, also attends the WLAC meetings.

“Through WLAC and the Women’s Caucus, we’re able to come together as a more unified voice to find legislative solutions for our shared priorities,” Rep. Manley said. “In an era of rolling back women’s rights, now more than ever we have to stand strong on our values and create a better Illinois that delivers for women of all ages.”

Discussions at the WLAC meetings typically cover a wide range of critical issues affecting women, including mental health services, parental leave, community safety, youth programs, equal rights and domestic violence.

Rep. Manley has provided a dedicated forum for women during her tenure as a state representative. The WLAC had strong participation prior to Covid, and is now seeing a resurgence of active participation, with attendees openly sharing their experiences and proposals.

From these meetings in her district, Rep. Manley will bring to the Legislative Women’s Caucus an experienced voice focused on strengthening rights, expanding opportunity and uplifting women across the state.

“It’s an honor for me to share words from women in my district with the Women’s Caucus in Springfield,” Rep. Manley said.

Throughout her career, Manley has been a leading voice on women-focused topics, helping to pass legislation to preserve reproductive rights, combat pay discrimination, strengthen paid leave, protect survivors of violence, expand educational opportunities, improve healthcare outcomes and more.

Rep. Manley regularly hosts a series of Legislative Advisory Committees (LACs), In addition to WLAC, including the Retirees Legislative Advisory Committee (RLAC), the newly created Neurodiversity Legislative Advisory Committee (NeuroLAC) and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legislative Advisory Committee (GrandLAC). These committees highlight Rep. Manley’s commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to inform the legislative process.

Under Manley’s leadership, previous LACs have shaped legislation that specifically addresses issues that were identified during the committee meetings. 

For more information about any of the LACs, please contact Rep. Manley’s district office using repmanley@gmail.com, or 815-725-2741 call or text.