DES PLAINES, Ill. – A United States Constitutional measure sponsored by state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, granting equal rights for all United States citizens, regardless of gender, has been ratified by Illinois lawmakers. The Equal Rights Amendment passed the Illinois House of Representatives making Illinois the 37^th state to ratify the proposed amendment.

“Women have been fighting for equal rights for decades and now we are only one state away from that being guaranteed in our constitution,” Moylan said. “Women deserve to be protected by the constitution just the same as men.”

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) originally passed the United States Congress in 1972 and was sent to the states for ratification. Currently, there is no federal constitutional provision that specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. By law, after the measure passed the U.S Congress, 38 of the 50 states need to ratify the ERA in order for the proposed amendment to be approved and added to the constitution.

This week, Illinois become the 37^th state to ratify the ERA, leaving only one more state needed in order for the purposed amendment to be added to our United States Constitution. This measure was approved by the Illinois House with bi-partisan support, 72 – 45 in the affirmative.

“After meeting with activists from my community about the issues concerning the ERA, and seeing how crucial it was to women in our country, it was a no-brainer, I had to support this effort.” Moylan said. “I would like to thank all the women and activists throughout the state who were advocating for the ERA. They did a great job.”

For more information about this issue, or any questions or concerns about any other issue, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, helped ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois on Wednesday, making it the 37^th state to ratify the amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination.

“It is humbling to have taken such a historic, critical vote that will help both women and men,” said Carroll. “Our constitution needs to be updated now more than ever to guarantee equal rights to women because we can’t look to Washington to lead on women’s issues anymore.”

Carroll was one of the chief backers of the legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment – Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4.

The Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee constitutional protection of the rights of all citizens regardless of sex. The measures would help to provide clearer judicial standards for deciding cases of sex discrimination and help women combat wage discrimination in the workplace. In order for ratification to the Constitution, approval is required by 38 states.

“Washington is continuing to erode women’s rights in health care, employment and other critical areas,” Carroll continued. “Today we showed Trump that women are going to fight to protect their rights.”

SJRCA 4 passed both the Senate and the House with a supermajority, making Illinois the 37^th state to ratify the 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.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – More than 40 years after the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced in the U.S. Congress, a group including state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is fighting to ratify the amendment in Illinois to guarantee constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination.

“Trump has shown that he will erode women’s rights in health care, employment and other areas where women have historically faced barriers,” said D’Amico. “Passing the ERA has never been more important due to the anti-woman nature of the Trump presidency.”

D’Amico is backing Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee constitutional protection of the rights of all citizens regardless of sex. The measures would improve judicial standards for deciding cases of sex discrimination and also help women combat wage discrimination in the workplace. In order to be ratified and added to the Constitution, the ERA must be approved by 38 states. If adopted, Illinois would become the 37th state to ratify the ERA, first approved by Congress in 1972.

“There has never been a greater assault on women’s rights during the 40-year battle to pass the ERA,” D’Amico continued. “We need to get the ERA cemented in our constitution before Trump has the ability to do any more damage.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, is fighting to guarantee constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination by working to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.

“When we pass protections for women, we are ensuring a better future for all,” said Carroll. “Sadly we can’t look to Washington to lead on women’s issues anymore, we have to lead the way here in our communities.”

Carroll is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

The Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee constitutional protection of the rights of all citizens regardless of sex. The measures would help to provide clearer judicial standards for deciding cases of sex discrimination and help women combat wage discrimination in the workplace. If adopted, Illinois would become the 37th state to ratify the ERA, first approved by Congress in 1972. In order for ratification to the Constitution, approval is required by 38 states.

“Washington is continuing to erode women’s rights in health care, employment and other critical areas,” Carroll continued. “That’s why we need to pass the Equal Rights Amendment with all deliberate speed.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D–Chicago, is joining the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would guarantee constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination.

“The Equal Rights Amendment is long overdue,” Harper said. “Everyone, regardless of gender, sex or race, deserves equal treatment under the law and the Equal Rights Amendment will put women one step closer to full equality.”

Harper is cosponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which was previously approved by the Senate and is now under consideration by the House. If adopted, Illinois would become the 37th state to ratify the ERA, first approved by Congress in 1972. Approval by 38 states is required for amendments to the United States Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee constitutional protection of the rights of all citizens regardless of sex. The measures would help to provide clearer judicial standards for deciding cases of sex discrimination and help women combat wage discrimination in the workplace.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, joined activists from across the state to advocate for the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois.

“As a husband and father to my daughter, I was proud to stand with women at the Capitol to push for greater gender equity and urge the ratification of the ERA in Illinois,” Welch said. “Given the lack of leadership Donald Trump is offering on women’s issues and women’s health, it’s urgent that we do everything we can to stand up for women’s rights at the state level.”

Welch is cosponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4 (SJRCA 4), which proposes to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution and further prohibit gender discrimination at the state and federal level. With the passage of SJRCA 4, Illinois would be the 37th state to ratify the ERA—bringing the U.S. within one state of the 38 states required for the amendment to be ratified nationally.

“On behalf of ERA Illinois, I thank Rep. Chris Welch for his support of the Equal Rights Amendment and equality for all,” said Michelle Fadeley, Illinois NOW President and ERA Illinois Coalition Founder. “We encourage his colleagues to vote “yes” with him to ratify SJRCA4 in Illinois this legislative session.”