Illinoisans Reflect On Equal Rights Amendment History

You may have heard the news last week that Virginia became the 38th state to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA. That’s a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would guarantee equal rights for all Americans, regardless of sex. 

Two years ago, Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the ERA.

With Virginia now on board, two-thirds of states have ratified the ERA. In theory, that would mean that the U.S. Constitution has a 28th amendment on the books guaranteeing women equal rights.

But, it’s not that simple. Steve Andersson, Illinois’ Human Rights Commissioner and a former member of the State House, and Michelle Fadeley, Vice President of Diversity for Illinois Now, the local branch of the National Organization for Women joined us.