The Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony was a celebration of hope, community & leadership. We are especially inspired by how the campus honors trailblazing women who shaped our world. These spaces weave the legacies of civil rights icons, pioneers & beloved mothers directly into the landscape

Freedom delayed is not freedom denied. Today, we honor Juneteenth by celebrating Black history, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. Happy #Juneteenth from She Votes Illinois. ❤️🩵 #FreedomDay

Good news! Illinois law (HB4180) helps close these gaps. For state-regulated plans, insurers must now cover medically necessary follow-up imaging, including diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs for dense tissue, with $0 out-of-pocket costs. www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/when-fr...

🎬 NOW IN SELECT THEATERS 🎬 "State of Firsts" follows Delaware’s Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress,as she navigates political extremism, personal attacks, and historic milestones, all while fighting to deliver for her constituents. 19thnews.org/2026/06/sara...

From brass bands & jazz to the historic opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Chicago is showing out for Juneteenth. Whether you're looking for community cookouts or a second-line parade, Block Club Chi breaks down how and where to celebrate across the city. blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/15/j...

The ILGA passed HB4966, a victory for the safety & rights of foster youth. It ensures that IL foster children don't lose access to reproductive & gender-affirming healthcare if they are placed out of state, & youth age 8 or older would be able to object to out-of-state placements. bit.ly/3S0ng4O

🚨 New research shows that IL police are failing to consistently follow the Pretrial Fairness Act's "citation in lieu of arrest" law for low-level offenses. Join Impact for Equity & the IL Network for Pretrial Justice on 6/23 for a breakdown of the data & expert insights. Register: bit.ly/4v1POt6

Illinois is breaking down barriers to information! Every IL resident now has FREE access to a massive new statewide digital library! Over 260k titles, K-12 tools, test prep, career development, and business resources are just a click away through the IL State Library. www.wifr.com/2026/06/10/i...

🧵 (1/3) Join the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, advocacy groups, & survivors for a press conference to celebrate the historic acquittal of Vanessa Sanders & demand the dismissal of charges against Keshia Golden & all survivors criminalized for self-defense. 🔗 bit.ly/FreeKeshia

🎉 SB3020 has passed both Houses of ILGA! As abuse evolves in the digital age, our laws must evolve too. SB3020 strengthens safety, accountability, and access to protection for survivors across Illinois.

📣 Our Latest Nation Watch Biweekly is Live! We’re breaking down the top headlines you need to know, from hidden maternal health data to FBI raids on voting rights groups. Plus, don’t miss our Recent Wins! Read the full recap here: shevotesil.substack.com/p/she-votes-...

🎉HB5492 has passed the ILGA, ensuring that state-regulated insurance plans will cover up to a six-month supply of prescription #HormoneTherapy when clinically appropriate. This change will help reduce barriers, cut down on pharmacy visits, and support uninterrupted access to essential care.

There’s a shift happening in how doctors talk about menopause care. What was once called “hormone replacement therapy” is now simply “hormone therapy,” reflecting a better understanding: menopause is a natural life transition, not a disease to be “fixed.” www.kwqc.com/2026/06/08/n...

❤️ Cook County Health’s free doula program is helping reshape maternal care in Chicago. Cook County Health has embedded doulas directly into hospital care at no cost to patients, supporting more than 340 families so far. abc7chicago.com/post/cook-co...

🧵(1/2) A new piece highlights how “criminalized survival” pushes abused women into the system, often for acts of self-defense or coercion. Research shows the majority were victims before incarceration & many were simply trying to protect themselves or loved ones. msmagazine.com/2026/06/08/w...

Check out the Accessible Virtual Pride Celebration! 🏳️‍🌈 Looking for a safe, inclusive, & COVID-conscious space to celebrate Pride this year? This virtual event is powered by community care, accessibility, & love. 🗓️ July 4–5 📍 Online 👉 Learn more and register: callingupjustice.com/accessible-v...

New reporting shows Chicago spent millions expanding a police-run domestic violence victim services program that has produced few documented results, with little tracking of survivor outcomes. Meanwhile, community DV providers are overwhelmed with long waitlists. blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/10/t...

Denied care. Lost fertility. And it happened in Illinois where emergency reproductive care is protected by law. A hospital in Barrington, IL refused to provide standard treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, delaying care until it was too late. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

🎉 The ILGA has passed HB3711! When sexual and violent misconduct occurs in healthcare settings, institutions can no longer remain silent. By closing gaps in the reporting system, this bill ensures that incidents are handled with the urgency and oversight they require.

Join Memorial Wellness Center for “Beyond the Scale: Staying Strong Through Menopause,” featuring medical experts discussing hormone therapy, physical changes, and ways to manage symptoms. 📅 Wed, June 10 | 5–7PM 📍 320 E. Carpenter St, Springfield Register today! capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-...

⚠️ CONSUMER ALERT -Tribune investigation reveals Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, a Chicago plastic surgeon, continues to operate despite 8 patient deaths & a recent $56M malpractice verdict. A past lawsuit includes a patient who discovered he carved his initials into her skin. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/07/p...

Casting a Historic Vote: Suffrage for Women in Illinois Join Orland Park on June 11 for a presentation on the history of IL women’s suffrage. The talk will explore the diverse strategies and activists who fought for enfranchisement, from Ellen Martin to Ida B. Wells. patch.com/illinois/orl...

Access to menstrual products is a matter of dignity, health, and basic human rights. In this powerful piece, @truthout.org shares the experiences of incarcerated people who continue to face barriers to obtaining needed supplies, despite laws intended to protect them. truthout.org/articles/ble...

Looking for a unique IL road trip destination? Visit Project XV Museum in El Paso, IL & explore the history of the fight for #VotingRights in the US, including the Women's Suffrage Exhibit. An inspiring reminder that democracy works best when everyone has a voice. www.25newsnow.com/2026/06/03/e...

This summer, Chicago teens ages 12–18 can access participating YMCA locations FREE through Aug. 31, providing opportunities for recreation, connection, mentorship, and growth. #ChicagoYouth #SummerOpportunities blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/03/t...

🗳️🎓 Illinois has passed HB4339, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act, ensuring graduating high school students are offered voter registration before receiving their diploma. The measure strengthens access, expands civic engagement, and helps build lifelong voting habits.

Chicago youth are leading the call for action on missing and murdered Black women and girls. We need a dedicated office to support families, improve investigations, and ensure these cases receive the urgency they deserve. #WeWalkForHer chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/06...

🎉 The ILGA has passed SB3777, strengthening protections against disparate impact discrimination, helping ensure that policies & practices that appear neutral on their face cannot unfairly harm people based on race, gender, disability, age, or other protected characteristics.

Since Illinois' CASPA took effect, at least 13 arrests of people attending, heading to, or leaving court proceedings. When people are afraid to appear in court, it undermines due process, public safety, and equal access to justice for all. borderlessmag.org/2026/06/02/i...

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month! Illinois has been ranked the #1 state in the Midwest & #5 in the nation for LGBTQ+ protections. As LGBTQ+ rights face growing challenges across the country, IL continues to show that equity, inclusion & opportunity make our communities stronger. www.pjstar.com/story/news/p...

No one should live in fear of a partner with a gun. This June 5, #WearOrange to shine a light on the deadly intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence in America.

🎉 SB3213 passes both Houses! This legislation helps patients get the medications they need by allowing prescriptions to be transferred when a pharmacy can’t fill them. SB3213 reduces unnecessary delays, improves access to care & helps ensure patients can receive timely, uninterrupted treatment.

🏗️ BIG NEWS FOR ILLINOIS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS! 🏗️ The ILGA has passed SB3465, modernizing outdated standards to ensure safety, dignity, & inclusivity on the job. By addressing these fundamental health & safety needs, Illinois is breaking down barriers & building a more diverse & welcoming industry.

Illinois is stepping up to protect families from devastating federal SNAP cuts. The FY27 budget includes $70M for the new FRESH program, providing $400 emergency payments to Illinoisans who lose food assistance due to expanded federal requirements. www.chicagosfoodbank.org/news/greater...

Chicago’s historic first full school board election is underway. Voters will elect a School Board President and representatives from 20 subdistricts, with 21 seats on the ballot this November. Learn what’s at stake, who’s running, and what happens next. www.axios.com/local/chicag...

🎉 A win for privacy in Illinois! The ILGA has passed HB5295 & SB3222! Together, these bills strengthen protections for sensitive health information, helping ensure that reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and other personal medical data stay private and secure.

🎉 Illinois is putting your wellness first by expanding medical coverage, cutting red tape, and making everyday products safer with the passage of these bills in both Houses of the ILGA! Next stop, the Governor’s desk. Better health outcomes start with better access and safer products.

Domestic violence shelters & survivor support organizations are being forced to cut services, reduce staffing & scale back crisis support while $150MM in federal funding remains undistributed. 📣 Contact your Members of Congress to demand the immediate release of these funds. bit.ly/4ucjGls

SB3341 has passed both Houses! 🎉 This legislation ensures minors can access confidential contraceptive services and make informed decisions about their reproductive health without requiring consent. Young people deserve privacy, dignity, and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies.

The Pretrial Success Grants Program has been providing essential support for people awaiting trial but new funding is not currently in the state budget. If the General Assembly doesnt add it to the budget today, this vital program will no longer exist.  Take Action: endmoneybond.org/%F0%9F%9A%A8...

New research found that just a $1,000 increase in annual living costs could leave 3 million more households unable to make ends meet. Rising costs for housing, healthcare, food, transportation, & childcare continue to outpace wages, pushing more families to the financial edge.

🚨 CALL TO ACTION due TODAY, May 31 by 11AM Fill out witness slips as a PROPONENT for legislation that prevents medical misconduct, secures privacy safeguards, & ensures uninterrupted continuity of care for hormone therapy. ✍️ Find the links under the May 31 section here: bit.ly/WitnessSlips0525

🎉 HB4235 has passed both Houses in the ILGA! This legislation, led by Rep. Rita Mayfield, helps ensure incarcerated people & their loved ones are not charged excessive or exploitative fees just to stay connected. Communication with family supports dignity, mental health, & successful reentry.

📣 Our Latest Nation Watch Biweekly is Live! We’re breaking down the top national headlines, from federal crackdowns on mail voting to frozen domestic violence funding, and DOJ attempts to purge Illinois voter rolls. Plus, don’t miss our Recent Wins! Read the full recap here: bit.ly/4acpSm3

🚨 CALL TO ACTION — Witness Slips Due Saturday, May 30 at 3PM 🚨 Support SB3777, the Civil Rights Safeguard Act which codifies longstanding “disparate impact” protections into the Illinois Human Rights Act. 📣 Submit a witness slip as PROPONENT in support of the bill: bit.ly/4fbz9yj

For the first time, IL earned a “B” in the latest national #MaternalMentalHealth report card, making it one of just 10 states to reach that level. Check out Illinois’ report card to see where the state is making progress & where more work is still needed for families. www.axios.com/2026/05/28/p...

Big win for survivor safety in Illinois! SB3329 has passed, closing dangerous loopholes & strengthening protections for survivors of #DomesticViolence. The bill strengthens firearm surrender enforcement & helps ensure survivors are notified about important changes that could impact their safety.

🚨 CALL TO ACTION — DUE TODAY — FRI, MAY 29 BY 10AM 🚨 Support SB3222, the Protect Health Data Privacy Act, that defends every Illinoisan’s right to health privacy and prevents their most sensitive information from being exploited. 📣 Please submit a witness slip as PROPONENT here: bit.ly/4ofb1NT

🚨 CALL TO ACTION — Witness Slip Due Fri, May 29 at 9:30AM 🚨 Support SB3465 that modernizes outdated restroom standards, improves worker health and dignity, & helps construction jobs be more welcoming and sustainable for a diverse workforce. 📣 Submit a witness slip as PROPONENT here: bit.ly/4dPqL53

Last year, lawmakers approved $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid & rural hospitals, delaying implementation until after the election. This June, communities are joining #SevenDaysInJune to demand healthcare access & public health protections. Join the June 5 candlelight vigil sevendaysinjune.org