D’Amico Applauds Passage of ERA

CHICAGO – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is applauding the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution, which he supported as part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

“Wednesday evening, legislators on both sides of the aisle stood on the right side of history by voting for the passage of the ERA,” D’Amico said. “This vote shows that we support the women in our life by urging their recognition in the text that is the foundation of our country.”

First introduced in 1923, the U.S. Congress finally passed the ERA in 1972. Per the amendment process outlined in the Constitution, it was then sent to the states for ratification, stopping short of the necessary 38 states for approval. With D’Amico’s support, Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the ERA on Wednesday.

“The passage of this amendment is long overdue, but it is never too late to do the right thing,” D’Amico said. “I hope that our ratification sets a good example for our children by letting them know we support the treatment of people equally, regardless of sex.”