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.

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.”