2025 Women Employed Illinois Legislative Agenda
Since 1973, Women Employed (WE) has been on the forefront of nearly every major advancement for working women in Chicago, Illinois, and the nation—from winning equal pay legislation to outlawing sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination and opening doors to quality education and training programs through financial aid and other supports. WE’s mission is to improve the economic status of women and remove barriers to economic equity. WE relentlessly pursues equity for women by working with lawmakers, educators, businesspeople, and community leaders to effect policy change, expand access to educational opportunities, and advocate for fair and inclusive workplaces.
Women Employed is striving to advance the following priorities in 2025. These priorities will ensure that women—especially women in low-paid jobs and Black and Latina/x women—can build their economic power. Whether we lead, stand with our partners in coalition, or support efforts we know will improve the lives of women, workers, and families, we are making our voices heard.
WHERE WE IS LEADING
Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Public Universities (SB 13)
For too long, funding for Illinois’ public universities has been based on political influence and not the needs of Illinois students. However, after more than two years of work, the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding has conceived a new approach that ensures public universities and the students they serve have adequate, equitable, and stable funding that prioritizes the students and institutions most in need. Furthermore, the recommended formula will ensure our funding system is transparent and that universities are accountable to Illinois for meeting state goals. It’s past time for a new approach.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
All workers will need long-term paid family and medical leave to care for their own or a family member’s serious illness, or to welcome a new child. But in Illinois, 62 percent of workers cannot even take unpaid leave, forcing them to make impossible decisions about their health and their ability to care for their families. Illinois must create a state-run family and medical leave program and make a difference for thousands of Illinois families.
Thirteen states and Washington, D.C. have already passed laws creating their own paid family and medical leave insurance programs. Illinois should be the next state to ensure paid leave!
Increasing Funding for our Higher Education System
Despite recent funding increases, Illinois is digging itself out of nearly two decades of disinvestment in higher education. Even in the face of substantial budget pressure, we must continue increasing our investment in Illinois’ public universities, community colleges, and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) each year or we will never get back on track, providing students with the individual and institutional support they need to access, persist, and complete their credentials and degrees.
Protecting Existing Policies
Over the last few years, we have made a lot of progress for women, families, and workers—progress we intend to preserve. Whether we are shoring up our laws against federal interference, ensuring strong rules and regulations for salary transparency, or defending against efforts to undermine the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, we will defend the laws and policies women, workers, and families need and deserve.
OTHER LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS WE SUPPORT
Growing Illinois’ Revenue Responsibly
It’s a fact: Illinois needs more revenue, not just to maintain our existing programs and services, but also to truly give women, workers, and families the support they need by increasing funding for existing programs and services and investing in new resources to serve our state. But our revenue solutions must not overburden those already struggling to keep the lights on and a roof over their heads, nor should they provide temporary relief by kicking the can down the road.
Improving Access to the Illinois Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Last year, Illinois established the first state Child Tax Credit, giving families earning less than $60,000 per year and with children under 12 with up to $300 to help support the costs of raising kids. However, families earning extremely low wages or no wages—those who don’t have a reason to file taxes—cannot access the CTC. We need to ensure that the credit goes to all families and children who need it.
For more information on our legislative priorities, please contact:
Sarah Labadie, Director of Policy and Advocacy
(312) 620-1786
[email protected]