Jim Oberweis on Civil Rights

Voted NO on ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment

• The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972 and sent to the states for ratification.
• In order to be added to the Constitution, it needed approval in 38 of the 50 states by 1982.
• Only 35 states approved the amendment; Illinois did NOT ratify at that time.
• The Illinois House but not the Senate passed an ERA ratification bill in 2003, while the Senate but not the House did so in this bill in 2014.

1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any state on account of sex.
2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this article.
3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

Voted no on state-level same-sex marriage

VoteSmart Synopsis: Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that authorizes same-sex marriage.