GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) congratulated the Commonwealth of Virginia for making history by becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

“This is a significant victory for advocates of women’s rights and their efforts to enshrine the equality of all women in the U.S. Constitution,” Bush said. “I congratulate the Commonwealth of Virginia for being yet another state to recognize the full, fundamental and equal rights of women under the law.”

The original ERA was introduced to Congress in 1972. To approve the amendment, a three-quarter majority, or 38 states, was needed for ratification. States were given until 1982, but only 35 had ratified it. That deadline has long since expired, making Virginia’s actions largely symbolic.

In 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to approve the E.R.A., and Illinois quickly became the 37th state a year later. Now, upon Virginia’s ratification, the U.S. has finally met the required three-quarter threshold and restarted the debate on an issue that had been largely forgotten since the 60s and 70s.

“The debate to amend the Constitution to include equal rights for women may have been tabled, but in light of the #MeToo movement and the recent hostility towards women’s rights, it is now more necessary than ever,” Bush said.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is urging anyone with information about the possible cover-up of a sexual assault to come forward.

“If anyone has information, they should absolutely report it to authorities immediately,” Bush said. “It’s appalling that someone would use their political position to cover up a rape or any other crime.”

Bush’s outrage comes in response to a WBEZ article alleging the participation of state officials in purposefully hiding information about a rape in an email exchange in 2012, during former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration. Senator Bush would like to provide a reminder that there is no longer a statute of limitations on criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault or aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Illinois. Therefore any new information will be helpful to authorities during the investigation.

“These actions are the kinds of abuses against women we’re fighting in Springfield, so it’s essential for the people responsible to be held accountable,” Bush said.

Anyone with information on the matter should contact:

• Champaign County State’s Attorney, 217-384-3733
• Illinois State Police, 217-786-7107
• Illinois Executive Inspector General, 217-558-5600 or 312-814-5600.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) released the following statement regarding the adoption of House Joint Resolution 93, which created the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to review current Illinois ethics codes:

“We need to seize this opportunity to spur change in our system given the scandals that have shaken the public’s confidence. We took a few small steps forward today regarding lobbying transparency. More needs to happen, and happen fast.

“This joint ethics commission will bring Republicans and Democrats together to study needed changes and come up with recommendations by early next year. The only way we’ll solve this culture problem is to stand unified behind a commitment to real change. And I think this is a good first step. I look forward to helping drive serious reform and working with my colleagues to push through any obstacles we encounter on the way.”

SPRINGFIELD – Jurors in Lake County will continue to have the option to donate their compensation to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), under a bill co-sponsored by State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake).

A pilot program that currently allows Lake County jurors to donate their wages to the CAC is set to expire at the end of the year. The CAC has requested the program be extended until Jan. 1, 2022, because it has increased revenue and public awareness of children’s advocacy issues. In 2019, jurors contributed nearly $1000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center.

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