2026 Women Employed Illinois Legislative Agenda
Women Employed is striving to advance the following priorities in 2026. These priorities will ensure that women—especially women in low-paid jobs and Black and Latina/x women—can build their income and wealth. Whether we lead, stand with our partners in coalition, or endorse efforts we know will improve the lives of women, workers, and families, we are making our voices heard.
OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Establishing an Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Public Universities
(SB 13 / HB 1581)
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.
Securing Paid Family and Medical Leave
(SB 2413 / HB 3483)
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!
Preventing Discrimination in Employment, Education, Housing, and More
More than 50 years ago, the United States Supreme Court created a framework known as “disparate impact.” This tool allows people to challenge policies and practices that may seem harmless, but result in discriminatory outcomes, particularly in employment, education, housing, and banking. For decades, disparate impact has protected women, People of Color, people with disabilities, older adults, and more. However, the Trump Administration is actively undermining disparate impact, aiming to eliminate the use of it.
We can no longer assume that protections we secured at the federal level—even those that have been consistent through multiple presidential administrations—will be faithfully followed. We must codify disparate impact into Illinois law to ensure our rights are protected.
Raising Illinois’ Minimum Wage for All Workers
Last year, Illinois’ minimum wage reached its final increase; it now stands at $15 per hour statewide. Unlike in Chicago, the state minimum wage does not now increase with the cost of living—it will be stuck at $15 per hour unless we change it.
The reality is that $15 per hour is far below what we need to afford to live in Illinois. And for some—tipped workers, incarcerated workers, and youth workers—they still earn less than the full minimum wage. We need to continue to raise the wage statewide, make sure it keeps pace with the cost of living, and eliminate the subminimum wages for tipped, incarcerated, and youth workers.
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.
Increasing Funding for Our Higher Education System
Despite recent funding increases, Illinois is digging itself out of 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.
For more information on our legislative priorities, please contact:
Sarah Labadie, Director of Policy and Advocacy
(312) 620-1786
slabadie@womenemployed.org
