Title IX was passed 50 years ago this year, and its impact has been nothing short of monumental. So, what is Title IX really? Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law in the United States of America that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any…

“I just want to do work that I’m passionate about.” “I feel stuck where I’m at.” “I’m tired of working a full-time job and having a side hustle.” “How can I sustain myself financially and care for my family without working full-time?” “My job just isn’t working for me, or…

By Sarah Labadie, Associate Director of Policy, Women Employed June 9, 2022 We’ve all been there. An unexpected life event occurs — a parent falls ill, a family member needs medical attention, or we have an accident that puts us out of commission — and we need time off from…

A Statement on Illinois’ Budget From the Illinois Full & Fair Wage Coalition — The General Assembly passed the state budget early in the morning on April 9, 2022, which included $50 million of relief funds for restaurants-–without a guarantee that help will mean meaningful relief for Illinois’s restaurant workers. For too long, restaurant workers have been forgotten. Today in Illinois, tipped workers —…

March is Women’s History Month, a chance to commemorate women who have blazed the trail to advance gender equity and reflect on how women show up in the world every day of the year. For almost 50 years, WE has been at the forefront of advocating for fair, safe, inclusive…

March 2, 2022 Women Employed is committed to the bold social goal of closing the wealth gap at the intersection of race and gender. …

February 25, 2022 Last week, Women Employed spoke in front of the House Appropriations — Higher Education Committee in support of Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget for higher education. The word that comes to mind when reviewing this budget is “opportunity.” By realizing this budget, Illinois has an opportunity to make…

As the state and country continue on the path to recovery from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the need for every Illinois student with college aspirations to earn a college degree is more urgent than ever. And yet, the current path to earning a degree from a public university here in…

October 28, 2021 The Build Back Better Framework is an essential first step toward not just recovering from the pandemic, but also building an economy that recognizes the needs of women, caregivers, and families. The framework includes historic investments in child care and home care; tax relief for workers and…