The Illinois federation has been very active in legislative issues since its inception.  In partnership with other women's organizations, BPW IL continues to fight to successfully pass the Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  BPW continues to be the advocate for women and appears at hearings and files support letters for issues of importance to all working women and their families being considered by the Illinois legislative body.  BPW IL also participates in the annual legislative lobby day in Washington D.C. to support issues which affect the lives of all women and their families with special emphasis on work place issues.

BPW/IL is non-partisan and does not directly endorse or support candidates running for public office.  However, many members choose to contribute to the BPW/USA Political Action Committee (BPW/USA PAC) which endorses candidates of both political parties who are supportive of the BPW Legislative agenda. 

 Specifics of our BPW/ILLINOIS Legislative Platform can be found by clicking on "Legislative Platform".  Our national Legislative Platform may be reviewed by clicking here.

BPW IL continues to be very active in the legislative arena.  Issues which our members have been instrumental in getting passed in Illinois are:

• Equal "Protection" clause in the Illinois State Constitution;
• Legislation that precludes HMOs from discharging women immediately after mastectomy surgery;

• Legislation that provides for a longer stay in the hospital for new mothers.  They are now allowed two days following normal birth and five days for cesarean section deliveries.