Agencies
Services
Illinois Council on Women and Girls
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls advises the Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting women and girls in the State.
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls Act under 20 ILCS 5130/15 created the Illinois Council on Women and Girls. The Council also ensures that they disseminate information and build relationships between State agencies and commissions in furtherance of the Council’s goals.
These goals and policy issues include those that advance the role and civic participation of women and girls in the State and promote resources and opportunities for academic and professional growth, including but not limited to:
- Legal protections and prevention efforts in cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment in the workplace, and other forms of gender-based violence
- Policies that provide proper standards of healthcare, study the disparate impacts on women as it pertains to diverse demographics, and promote increased access to reproductive healthcare
- The protection of LGBTQIA+ women from violence and harassment and increase their access to culturally competent health care, housing, employment, and other opportunities
- Increasing leadership opportunities for women of color to be included in decision-making capacities, and identifying barriers toward parity
- Academic and career opportunities for all women across Illinois
Council Updates
2024 Girls Lead Program
The Council is accepting applications for the second year of Girls Lead, an innovative mentorship program designed to inspire and empower girls to pursue careers in public service.
Girls in grades 5–12 will shadow a woman leader in state government to see the direct impact women make on Illinois. Participating mentors come from different areas of state government and serve in various leadership roles, including elected General Assembly-women, policy directors, general counsels, chiefs of staff, agency directors, and more.
Deadline extended! Applications are open through Oct. 27, 2024.
Now accepting nominations for the Girls Committee!
Submissions are open through Oct. 20, 2024.
Committees
In furtherance of the Council’s goals, the Council has created five sub-committees to advance its role in advising the Governor and the General Assembly.