Illinois needs to pass ERA

Many are surprised that the Equal Rights Amendment, which guarantees the Equality of rights for women, had not passed and become part of our country's Constitution. With your encouragement Illinois can become the 36th state to ratify it.

The Illinois Senate has passed it and we now are waiting on the House to vote in November.

We need the ERA to protect against a rollback of the significant advances in women's rights already achieved. Laws are subject to shifting political whims, while a constitutional amendment provides a strong legal defense against such tampering.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has said that even with the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause he does not think the Constitution prohibits sex discrimination. This statement should cause us all to reach out to our Illinois House members and insist they support Illinois's ratification of the ERA.

Women's equal rights in our country should not have to rely on opinions. "Equal rights are not a fad; they're in the fabric of our nation and the ERA confirms that," stated Illinois state Sen. Heather Stearns.

So many of the arguments that were raised against the ERA in Illinois in the 1970s are no longer relevant. Our House members are in our communities looking for your vote. Ask them about their position on the ERA. Tell them to vote for the ERA. Our Constitution must represent and protect women and men.

Connie Wesley

Vernon Hills