SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is pushing to include gender equality in the United States Constitution by sponsoring legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois.

“Full equality under our laws is decades overdue,” Yingling said. “We need two more states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment before it can be implemented at the federal level of government. We are very close to finally making progress here at home and guaranteeing that women in our country finally receive equal treatment and protections not just under the law, but with full constitutional protection.”

Yingling is a sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which requires supermajority support in both the House and Senate and would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois. The ERA was initially passed by Congress in 1972, but has yet to receive the necessary support from 38 states. Presently, 36 states have approved the amendment.

If ratified, the ERA would prohibit the denial of equal rights by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Additionally, Congress would have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of the amendment. The amendment would take effect two years after ratification by 38 states.

“Equal treatment under the law is not a partisan issue,” Yingling said. “It’s a human rights issue that knows no political, race, gender or class barriers. Our constitution is meant to protect all Americans and it’s time for Illinois to take action on this issue.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is fighting for gender equality by supporting the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois and is calling on Gov. Rauner to express his support for the amendment’s ratification in Illinois.

“Today, many woman, especially women of color, suffer and pay the price for gender discrimination as a result of lack of equal rights under the constitution,” said Lilly. “Women have been fighting since the 1920s to add gender equality in the United States Constitution to constitutionally guarantee equal rights for all. Passing this legislation in Illinois will bring the nation one step closer to accomplishing this long-overdue goal.”

Lilly is supporting Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4 in order to add the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would guarantee constitutional protection of the rights of all citizens regardless of sex, help to provide clearer judicial standards for deciding cases of sex discrimination and help women combat wage discrimination.

Illinois would become the 37th state in the nation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which requires the ratification of 38 states. Lilly is urging residents to contact Gov. Bruce Rauner at 312-814-2121 and encourage him to voice his support for women’s equality.

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

Lilly represents parts Chicago’s West Side, Oak Park, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park and Melrose Park. Join her weekly newsletter to stay up to date with events and news from the 78th District at StateRepCamilleYLilly@gmail.com.