It's time for Illinois to adopt the ERA
This, year we celebrate our state's bicentennial. Illinois has a rich legacy to celebrate with such luminaries as Ida B. Wells, Lottie O'Neill, Patricia Roberts Harris, Jean Ibendahl and Agnes Nestor.
This year we have an opportunity to make history for women in Illinois by passing SJRCA4 (Equal Rights Amendment or ERA) in Springfield. When we do, Illinois will be the 37th of the 38 states needed to ratify the ERA in the US Constitution. Eighty percent of Americans mistakenly believe they have this constitutional protection.
The Nevada legislature resurrected the fight last year by approving ratifying the ERA.
The #MeToo movement shows us the need for better laws and a shift in our thinking. I call on Reps. Tom Morrison and David Harris to vote for SJRCA4 and make history for Illinois women.
Carolyn Roberts
Arlington Heights