Hundreds of supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment from all over Illinois will descend on Springfield Tuesday. They’re hoping to convince state representatives to approve the 1970s-era U.S. constitutional amendment to protect women’s rights.
A coalition of women’s groups has chartered buses to get supporters to ERA Rally Day at the state capitol.
"This is so very important that this becomes a constitutional amendment," said Barbara Giolitto, who is in charge of filling one of the buses in the Rockford area.
The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972, but fell three states short of ratification. The Illinois Senate has approved it, and it could come up for a vote in the House as soon as next week.
Giolitto said she finds it hard to believe it has been such a struggle, since, “Women would be protected and it wouldn’t hurt anyone else. What is their fear really?”
In addition to the rally, supporters and opponents can submit “witness slips” to the House’ Human Services Committee through the General Assembly’s website by Monday. It's one way lawmakers can tally support or opposition
