Women's Issues

Reproductive Freedom
I fully support every woman’s right to her own reproductive destiny and to make her own health decisions including, but not limited to, reproductive freedom.

The federal government should support education on all aspects of reproductive health, consistent with President Obama’s “common ground” vision. These areas include family planning and comprehensive programs for young people that emphasize not only abstinence and prevention but also provide them with the range of information they need to make healthy choices about sexual behavior.

Economic Equality
Despite decades spent fighting for equal pay for equal work, as we enter the year 2010 women are not equally compensated with their male counterparts. Today, full-time female workers are paid 78 percent of what men in the same type of work are paid; and for minority women, the disparity is even greater.

For women heading up families as sole breadwinner and/or single parents their inability to earn equal pay adversely affects their buying power and puts their retirement security at risk. As Illinois’ next U.S. Senator I will continue the fight for gender pay equity, and work toward narrowing that gap until it no longer exists. Furthermore, my election to the U.S. Senate guarantees another yes vote for the Equal Rights Amendment.

Eliminating Violence Against Women
While great strides have been made to protect women from domestic abuse, violence and sexual assault, we must remain ever vigilant in the battle against these atrocities. As a member of the U.S. Senate I will continue to help raise awareness around the issue of violence against women, and protect the Violence Against Women Act. Furthermore, I will work with my fellow Senators and members of Congress to ensure that the victims of domestic, sexual and other types of violence have a place to go for help, and the resources and support system to rebuild their lives.