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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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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.
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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.
Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barrett to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
On Tuesday, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed as a United States Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. A law professor at the University of Notre Dame, Barrett has been widely opposed due to her past statements that judges’ Catholic beliefs should take precedent over the United States Constitution.
Today is National Voter Registration Day
Today, September 26, is National Voter Registration Day. First celebrated in 2012, National Voter Registration Day serves to raise awareness about voter registration deadlines so that all eligible voters are able to participate in upcoming elections.
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Illinois Legislature Unanimously Passes Automatic Voter Registration
The 2017 bill, SB 1933, would automatically register eligible individuals who have been entered into any number of state databases, such as the DMV, unless they opt out.
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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.
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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.
Chicago Activists Continue Hunger Strike to Save Predominately Black Public High School
Chicago residents have entered the second week of their hunger strike protesting the closure of Dyett High School.
Chicago Public Schools Will Increase Athletic Opportunities for Girls After Title IX Complaint
Chicago public schools and the Office for Civil rights reached an agreement late last week to provide equal athletic opportunity for boys and girls.
Tennessee and Chicago Move Forward with Plans for Free Community College
Many Americans had not heard of the proposal to make 2 years of community college free until President Obama’s State of the Union address. Tennessee and Chicago, however, have long been working to make this plan a reality for their students.
Chicago Raises Minimum Wage But Could Face Opposition From State
The Chicago City Council Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill increasing the state’s minimum wage to $13 an hour by mid-2019, but that decision could come under fire at the state level.
Minimum Wage Workers Across the Nation Won Raises on Election Day
Voters threw their weight behind state, county, and city referendums raising the minimum wage across seven states on Election Day Tuesday.
Illinois Governor Signs Bill To Protect Pregnant Women From Workplace Discrimination
Accommodations provided by HB 8 may include temporary changes for heavy lifting and manual labor, ensuring access to seating, frequent restroom breaks, time off following childbirth, and break spaces for breastfeeding.
