The Illinois Senate is voting to ratify the Federal Equal Rights Amendment. The Amendment guarantees equal rights for women, and Illinois was one of 14 states that never ratified it after passage in 1972. State Senator Heather Steans says now is the time to build on the national women’s movement and get the job done.
If the Illinois House joins in, Illinois will be the 37th state to ratify the E.R.A., but well past the 1982 deadline and just shy of the 38 states needed. Supporters hope Congress will lift the deadline and include the Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.