Equal Rights Amendment

Illinois is at the forefront of the work to make sure that the US Constitution provides equal protection under the law for all genders.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first drafted in 1923 by suffragist Alice Paul, and was introduced in every session of Congress for the next 49 years. In 1972, it was approved by overwhelming majorities in both House and Senate, and sent to the states for ratification. The 38-state threshold needed to become part of the US Constitution proved elusive until in 2018, when Illinois became the 37th state to ratify, and Virginia became the 38th in 2020.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has now met all ratification requirements and must be published as part of the US Constitution.

News

News
All Hands on Deck in Support of ERA
All Hands on Deck in Support of ERA

The League of Women Voters of Illinois is sponsoring a bus to Washington DC so we can show support at a rally for the Equal Rights Amendment—sign up join us on the road!

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Take Action: Fight for Women's Equality
Take Action: Fight for Women's Equality

In the United States, women are still not guaranteed equal rights. With just months left in office, we are urging President Biden to act to ensure that the Equal Rights Amendment is published. 

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League Action in Summer 2024
League Action in Summer 2024

This summer, the League spoke out on clean energy, tax filing, reproductive rights and more.

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Time to celebrate! League-supported bills become law
Time to celebrate! League-supported bills become law

Thank you to everyone who called their legislators and the governor and spoke up on behalf of these bills, which have now been signed into law.

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Take Action: Equal Rights Amendment
Take Action: Equal Rights Amendment

The US Constitution simply does not ensure that all genders have the same rights and protections under the laws of our nation. It is time. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has met all ratification requirements and must be published as part of the US Constitution.

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Success! League-supported legislation passes
Success! League-supported legislation passes

Thanks in part to the advocacy of League members, important legislation supported by LWVIL was passed by both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly this term.

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Publish the ERA Now
Publish the ERA Now

Fifty-one years ago, the US Congress approved the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. We’re still waiting. Here in Illinois, you can support HJR20, a resolution calling on Congress to affirm the ratification of the ERA. 

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Illinois General Assembly is in session
Illinois General Assembly is in session

The 103rd Illinois General Assembly’s first session is underway and thousands of bills have been put forth in both the House and Senate. Make sure your legislators know what you want!

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Time for the 28th Amendment
Time for the 28th Amendment

The bicameral resolution introduced this week would ensure the ERA’s place as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, finally guaranteeing equal protections under the law regardless of gender or sex. 

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Women’s (In)equality Day
Women’s (In)equality Day

Every year, the League celebrates Women's Equality Day on August 26, the day the 19th Amendment was added to the Constitution. This year it feels as though we have stepped back in time—to find ourselves only footsteps away from the beginning of the path we started on 102 years ago.

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ERA Coalition

ERA Illinois

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