Women

Few rights are more cherished than an individual’s right to privacy. For women, it means having the freedom to make decisions about their reproductive health without government intervention.

Governor Pat Quinn has a long history of advocating for women—on health and economic issues that affect not only Illinois women, but their families as well.

Choice

Governor Quinn firmly believes that decision about a woman’s body should be made by her and her doctor. He supports a woman’s right to privacy and choice without restriction as embodied in Roe v. Wade.

In accordance with his beliefs that healthcare should not be predicated on income, Governor Quinn supports legislation restoring abortion coverage under the state Medicaid plan. In addition, he is dedicated to making family planning services available to all in Illinois, regardless of age, and supports legislation to repeal Illinois’ 1995 Parental Notice of Abortion Law. 

Support for Women at the State Level

Governor Quinn believes that the vigorous support of women’s issues begins with agency directors who share in his commitment. Since becoming governor, he has nominated well-qualified, thoughtful leaders to ensure accessibility to reproductive services and support a woman’s freedom to make decisions about her body.

Keeping Illinois Women Healthy

During Governor Quinn’s tenure, the Illinois Healthy Women program has provided family planning and other services such as physical exams, pap smears, lab tests, testing and medicine for sexually transmitted infections and sterilization to women without health coverage. This program also covers mammograms, multivitamins and folic acid, helping support women before, during and after childbearing years.

Women in the Workplace

Governor Quinn believes that equal work should be rewarded with equal pay, and firmly stands against salary discrimination based on gender.

The Governor has signed into law a bill amending the Equal Pay Act to give employees more time to address issues of underpayment, and making Illinois’ equal pay policies consistent with the national Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment

Governor Quinn is committed to protecting those affected by domestic violence, and to changing the culture that perpetuates violence against partners and children.

Since taking office, the Governor has signed bills to prevent discrimination against individuals taking out orders of protection and providing time off from work for victims to help them address issues relating to the domestic violence.

Governor Quinn has also signed into law programs to teach teens about dating violence as part of health education, a bill supported by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, American Association of University Women, and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH). In addition, the Governor has helped amend the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) requiring higher education institutions to provide sexual harassment information to students.

Support for Families

Governor Quinn signed into law a bill creating the Division of Family Affairs and the Division of Women Affairs within the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs respectively.  These divisions serve as an advocate for women veterans and assist family members of servicemembers who are mobilized or in service abroad.

The Governor also signed a bill creating The Kinship Navigator, a program designed to provide kinship caregivers the necessary resources for the preservation of the family. The law program also works to relieve some of the physical, psychological, and financial stress that can come from the sudden responsibility of caring for a child.

Endorsements

Governor Quinn has been endorsed by:

  • Personal PAC
  • Planned Parenthood of Illinois
  • Illinois NOW
  • Illinois Education Association
  • Citizen Action Illinois
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