The Equal Rights Amendment, which the Senate approved this week, became the first measure to earn the backing of the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus.

The 17 female senators currently serving in the Senate comprise the bipartisan caucus. For any legislation to gain the support of the caucus, 50 percent of Republican members and 50 percent of Democrat members must support the proposal. The caucus formed a legislative committee to review and to vet policy proposals.

SJRCA 4, the Equal Rights Amendment, proposes to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution and solidify equality for women. Women do not currently have guaranteed equal rights under the federal Constitution.