She Votes Illinois

06/23/2026

After 20 years of service in the Illinois Senate, Linda Holmes has announced she will step down from the ballot and retire at the end of her term.

We thank State Senator Linda Holmes for her two decades of leadership representing the 42nd District, including her support for reproductive healthcare, efforts to expand maternal and postpartum care, and her work on animal welfare legislation. Her commitment to public service and her constituents has left a lasting impact on Illinois.

We wish her the very best in her health and retirement.

Veteran Illinois Sen. Linda Holmes will leave office, citing health concerns after nearly two decades in the Senate.

06/19/2026

Yesterday’s opening ceremony at the Obama Presidential Center was an unforgettable celebration of hope, community, and leadership. As the doors open, we are especially inspired by how the campus permanently honors the trailblazing women who shaped our world.

From the Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth Program Rooms to the Dr. Mae Jemison exhibit and the Ann Dunham Water Terrace, these spaces weave the legacies of civil rights icons, pioneers, and beloved mothers directly into the landscape.

06/19/2026

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. ❤️🩵

06/18/2026

Initial breast cancer screenings are free under the ACA, but patients often face surprise bills for required follow-up care.

The good news is there is an Illinois law (HB4180) that 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.

Check with your provider about your breast density, and verify your insurance plan type to ensure you're covered!

"Aside from the fact that mammograms have become unaffordable for the very women they were designed to protect, there is a big issue with them: They're not very effective, and they certainly aren’t preventive," writes Barbara Levy, MD, FACOG, FACS.

06/17/2026

🎬 NOW IN SELECT THEATERS 🎬

"State of Firsts" follows Delaware’s Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, on her journey from the campaign trail to the halls of Capitol Hill. The documentary pulls back the curtain on McBride’s first term as she navigates political extremism, personal attacks, and historic milestones, all while fighting to deliver for her constituents.

👉 "State of Firsts" is now playing in select theaters. Check your local indie theater listings for showtimes.

"State of Firsts," which debuts in select theaters Friday, follows the first transgender member of Congress on the campaign trail and into D.C.

06/17/2026

From brass bands and jazz to the historic public opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Chicago is showing out for Juneteenth this week.

Whether you're looking for community cookouts on the lakefront or a second-line parade, Block Club Chicago breaks down how and where to celebrate across the city.

From jazz concerts and second-line parades to family festivals and community cookouts, here’s where to celebrate Juneteenth across Chicago this week.

06/16/2026

ICYMI: The ILGA passed the SECURE Act (HB4966), marking a victory for the safety and rights of foster youth in our state.

This legislation ensures that Illinois foster children don't lose access to crucial reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare if they are placed out of state. Even better, it gives youth ages 8 and older a real voice and the right to object to a placement if their healthcare access and safety can't be protected.

Thank you to State Representative Kelly Cassidy and all the advocates who fought to make sure our state’s most vulnerable kids keep their rights, no matter where they are placed.

Next stop: the Governor’s desk for a signature!

Illinois approved new foster care protections for out-of-state placements involving healthcare access concerns.

06/15/2026

🚨 New research shows that Illinois 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 and the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice for a breakdown of the data, expert insights, and a discussion on why this crucial arrest diversion reform has stalled.

📅 Tuesday, June 23
⏰ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Zoom)

📈 Register here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/REPpGUdGmNfb7XW-oxd4Jg

06/15/2026

Illinois is breaking down barriers to information!

Every Illinois 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 Illinois State Library. Check it out!

Every Illinois resident now has free access to informational and educational resources through a new digital library program, state officials announced.

06/14/2026

Join Cook County Public Defender's Office, DV agencies and community organizations as well as criminalized survivors who have made it to the other side of their cases and those who are still in the fight, for a press conference to celebrate the HISTORIC acquittal of Vanessa Sanders and to demand dismissed charges for Keshia Golden and all those charged for actions taken in defense of their lives. bit.ly/FreeKeshia

If you can, please also consider a donation to Vanessa Sanders' freedom fund: https://gofund.me/5a2c16dec

For those who would like to join the press conference, but have not been to Cook County Criminal Courthouse before, a couple tips:

Arrive by 10:45 if you can, just to be sure you get through security. You may only bring your phone inside if you are a staff person, an attorney, or are pre-approved. You can leave your phone with the clerk at the entrance, with an ID--or in your vehicle. No laptops, digital cameras, or similar devices are allowed. Best to bring in just a purse or wallet, if possible. There is paid street parking, as well as buses that stop in front of the courthouse.