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.

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus to the governor’s unwillingness to support commonsense measures to curb gun violence and help sweep unregistered firearms off the streets.

Succumbing to pressure from the NRA, Gov. Bruce Rauner today vetoed the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which would have permitted the state to license and inspect gun dealers in an effort to assist the federal government in holding corrupt dealers accountable for illegal firearm sales.

Rauner vetoed the measure less than 24 hours before a national walkout to protest school gun violence and call on lawmakers to enact stricter gun laws.

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), who also chairs the joint Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, delivered a clear message: “Leave it to Governor Rauner to put politics before public safety. If his goal was to curb gun violence in our state he would have appointed a commission his first day in office, not over three years into his term. There is too much at stake to continue stalling for personal advancement.”