Caucus endorses ratification of Equal Rights Amendment

SPRINGFIELD –The Equal Rights Amendment is the first measure to earn the backing of the Senate Women’s Caucus, members of the bipartisan group announced today.

“The Senate Women’s Caucus came together to empower and amplify the voices of women throughout our state,” Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, a Maywood Democrat and co-chair of the caucus, said. “It is fitting that the first piece of legislation endorsed by the caucus is the Equal Rights Amendment, which protects women’s constitutional rights and is one of the many women’s issues that is long overdue.”

SJRCA 4, the Equal Rights Amendment proposes to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution and solidify equality for women. Women do not currently have guaranteed equal rights under the federal Constitution.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved legislation Wednesday that establishes a new $3.5 billion Medicaid Hospital Assessment Program, including $360 million in new funding for safety net and critical access hospitals.

The Black and Latino Caucuses in the Illinois General Assembly gave support to these hospitals by signing a letter earlier this year stating they would not support a plan that would cut funding for safety net hospitals.

“Safety net hospitals play a vital role in our communities and serve some of the most vulnerable populations in our state,” Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) said. “If their funding is cut, we would see a direct impact on our constituents who depend on them to stay healthy.”

Safety net hospitals often serve a large number of Medicaid patients which makes it difficult for the hospitals to subsidize those costs through private insurance as other hospitals can.

The current assessment program is set to expire this summer. Senate Bill 1773 now heads to the House for consideration.