Courts

Virginia, Nevada, and Illinois Will Appeal Ruling on ERA

On Monday, Virginia, Nevada, and Illinois filed notice that they will appeal a federal judge’s ruling that the states’ votes to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment were too late. Virginia led the appeal, with the other states joining. “Throughout the years, efforts to have the Equal Rights Amendment added to the Constitution have met with […]

Other Issues Race

Illinois Plans Overhaul of Juvenile Justice System to “Reduce the Harm of Incarceration”

On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker announced a four-year plan to overhaul the Illinois juvenile justice system by transferring incarcerated children out of large prison-like facilities and investing more in restorative justice practices. The plan would repurpose the state’s five large juvenile facilities and move the children detained there to small residential centers based in their […]

Courts Reproductive Rights

Anti-Choice Group Files Lawsuit Against Illinois Reproductive Health Act

On June 10, the Thomas More Society (TMS) filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Insurance claiming that the Illinois Reproductive Health Act is unconstitutional and violates the religious liberties of its clients. TMS argues that the law requiring employers to provide insurance that covers abortions violates the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act and […]

Economy Health Other Issues

Seven Midwest States Announce Their Plan to Partner on Reopening

On Thursday, governors from seven Midwestern states announced that they will coordinate on reopening the Midwest regional economy. The Midwest pact joins the Northeast and West Coast in an effort to coordinate amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Midwest bipartisan effort includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kentucky. In the governors’ collaboration, they announced […]

Courts Politics

Attorneys General File Landmark ERA Lawsuit

Three attorneys general that represent the last three states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) have filed a lawsuit stating that according to Article V, the amendment must be added to the Constitution immediately. This lawsuit was brought forth by Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Nevada Attorney […]

Uncategorized

Mass Shooting in Aurora, Illinois Manufacturing Warehouse

Last Friday, there was a mass shooting at a manufacturing warehouse in Aurora, Illinois. The gunman began shooting at his coworkers when he was being fired at a meeting with managers—he killed five of his coworkers and injured several police officers. Those killed were Trevor Wehner, an intern on his first day and senior at […]

Politics

Women Win Across the Country in 2018 Midterms

Women won more seats in Congress yesterday than ever before, with over 110 women elected, including the first Muslim women, first Native American women, and two women in their twenties. The women who were elected include the former Teacher of the Year, small business owners, former military helicopter pilots, activists, a former CIA officer, and […]

Uncategorized

Illinois Becomes the 37th State to Ratify the ERA

On Wednesday, with a required three-fifths vote (72-45) in the state House, Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The United States is now only one state short of guaranteeing women’s equality in the U.S. Constitution.

Uncategorized

Illinois Senate Votes To Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

Yesterday the Illinois State Senate voted 43-12 with no debate to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The initiative now heads to the Illinois House, where advocates warn passage is not a “slam-dunk.” While both chambers have approved the ERA in the past, it has never cleared both the Senate and the House in the same legislative session.

Uncategorized

IL House Votes to Expand Abortion Access as Hundreds of Women March on Springfield

The Illinois House yesterday voted 62-55 in favor of access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. The vote on HB 40 came on the same day as the Illinois Women March on Springfield where over a thousand women turned out in support of a large progressive agenda that included women’s equality, immigration, homelessness, criminal legal reform, the environment, LGBTQ rights, healthcare, disability rights, economics, education, and more.

Uncategorized

Illinois Considers Ratifiying the ERA

On Tuesday, April 25th the Illinois state Senate will consider bill SJRCA 4, the state ratification for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. This same day, a coalition of progressive advocates plan to march on the capital of Springfield, in the spirit of the January 21 Women’s Marches, to advocate for legislation being considered in the spring 2017 legislative session, including the ERA ratification.