Women's March | WNIJ and WNIU

One Kendall County, Two Events: Rep. Underwood Headlines Women's March, Plano Sees Pro-Trump Display

By Peter Medlin • Oct 17, 2020

Kendall County residents marched, signs in tow, to show support for women’s rights and honor the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Before the march, the socially distant crowd leaned in to hear from Rep. Lauren Underwood. She was elected to Congress in 2018, flipping a longtime Republican seat and riding a “Blue Wave” of Democrat enthusiasm.

March participants talked about channeling that enthusiasm not only to help elect Joe Biden but advocate for women’s reproductive rights and other causes.

Women's March Rockford Holds Sign Making Party At Womanspace

By Connie Kuntz • Jan 13, 2020

Women's March Rockford held a sign making party at Womanspace on Saturday. It gave people the opportunity to create signs not just for themselves, but for anyone who shows up to the assembly empty-handed.

Women March And Rally In Northern Illinois Snow

By WNIJ News • Jan 19, 2019

Marchers in Geneva braved snow and cold for the Fox Valley Women’s March Saturday.

Organizers estimate around 750 attendees packed into downtown Geneva for the march, undeterred by the snow, wind, and 25-degree temperatures.

Speeches and signs carried by marchers touched on topics like sexual misconduct, gun violence, abortion rights, student debt, and the government shutdown. Some attendees even stood on cardboard to keep their feet warm while they cheered and listened to speeches from politicians and activists.

Perspective: Why I March

By Sarene Alsharif • Jan 17, 2019

Since 2017, the Women’s March has been a crucial part of our American narrative. I have had the privilege to march in previous years.

Women's March Rockford Marches On

By Claire Buchanan • Jan 3, 2019

The national Women’s March has faced accusations of anti-Semitism, and organizers in Chicago recently announced they would not march, citing logistical challenges.

Organizer Alicia Neubauer says none of those issues apply to the Rockford march, though. Canceling has never been on the table for their group.

Neubauer says they have tried since the inception of the Rockford march to include a diversity of voices.

Women's March Chicago Plans October 'March To The Polls'

By Associated Press • Aug 13, 2018

Activists are organizing a "March to the Polls 2018" as a follow up to the Women's March in January.

Women's March Chicago has announced the event for Oct. 13 to celebrate the opening of early voting in Illinois. Organizers describe it as a "critical next step in voter engagement" as women show that they are "changing outcomes at the ballot box to protect a fragile democracy."

Women Rising: The Push For Gender Parity In State Government

By Rachel Otwell • Feb 19, 2018

The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, as well as the 2016 election, have sparked renewed passion for electing women to office in Illinois.

It's a cold, slushy weeknight as about 50 people pour into the community room of a Springfield grocery store on the west end of town. They're making protest signs for the second annual Women's March. Two friends sit in a corner using cutout letters and permanent marker. Business owner Katie Dobron is writing, "Vote women in."

Women Get Ready To March Saturday, One Year After Record-Setting Rallies

By Susan Stephens • Jan 16, 2018

This weekend, women will take to the streets in more than 300 cities worldwide. There are at least nine women’s marches scheduled in Illinois Saturday, including Chicago, Rockford, Carbondale, and a number of points in-between.

Lawmaker Seeks Abortion-Bill Vote As Women March On Capitol

By Associated Press • Apr 25, 2017

"Money" By Flickr User Pictures of Money / (CC BY 2.0)

A Democratic lawmaker pushing legislation to remove prohibitions on publicly funded abortions in Illinois hopes to call it for a vote as thousands of women converge on the capital to lobby for a "progressive agenda."

Chicago Rep. Sara Feigenholtz's measure would lift restrictions on abortions funded by Medicaid or state employee health insurance.

She says the legislation also is important because it ensures abortion remains on the books in Illinois if the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion is overturned.

Women From Across Illinois Will Rally At The Statehouse

By Brian Mackey • Apr 25, 2017

Women from across Illinois are expected in Springfield today for a march and rally at the Statehouse.

The event is drawing a long list of Democratic officials and activists. Senate President John Cullerton and other state politicians will be joined by three gubernatorial candidates and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The Women's March In Rockford

By Susan Stephens • Jan 21, 2017

More than 1,000 people marched through downtown Rockford today as part of the national Women's March movement. Women, men, and children carried signs, shouted slogans, and stuck to the sidewalks in the peaceful gathering.

Organizers say the purpose of the march was to support women's rights, as well as specific issues such as equal pay, access to health care, and uniting a diverse city like Rockford.

Illinoisans Gear Up For 'Women's March' On Capitol Hill

By WNIJ News • Jan 18, 2017

A lot of women were hoping to see a female president sworn in this week. Instead, hundreds of thousands are headed to Washington to protest and raise awareness of human rights and social justice issues important to them.

Keri Tate of Springfield is among those who will be going by bus to the Women's March, set for Saturday. And she'll have a message for Donald Trump and Republicans controlling congress.