The Illinois federation has been very active in legislative issues since its inception.  In partnership with other women's organizations, IFBPW continues to fight to successfully pass the Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. IFBPW continues to be the advocate for women and appears at hearings and files support letters for issues of importance to all working women and their families being considered by the Illinois legislative body.  IFBPW also monitors Federal Legislation and  supports issues which affect the lives of all women and their families with special emphasis on work place issues.

IFBPW is non-partisan and does not directly endorse or support candidates running for public office. Local clubs that conduct a candidates Forum invite all candidates running for office to participate in the event. 

 Specifics of our IFBPW  Legislative Platform can be found by clicking on "Legislative Platform". 

IFBPW continues to be very active in the legislative arena.  Issues which our members have been instrumental in getting passed in Illinois are:

• Equal "Protection" clause in the Illinois State Constitution;
• Legislation that precludes HMOs from discharging women immediately after mastectomy surgery;

• Legislation that provides for a longer stay in the hospital for new mothers.  They are now allowed two days following normal birth and five days for cesarean section deliveries.