She Votes Illinois

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.

06/13/2026

🎉 SB3020 has passed both Houses of ILGA!

Introduced by Senator Adriane Johnson, this legislation modernizes Illinois' domestic violence protections by expanding harassment protections to include doxing, electronic tracking, and nonconsensual digital content. It also improves access to justice by allowing victims to request virtual order of protection hearings statewide and streamlining the process for extending protective orders.

As abuse evolves in the digital age, our laws must evolve too. SB3020 strengthens safety, accountability, and access to protection for survivors across Illinois.

Thank you Senator Adriane Johnson for championing this bill!

06/13/2026

📣 Our Latest Nation Watch Biweekly is Live!

We’re breaking down the top national headlines you need to know, from new Medicaid work requirements and hidden maternal health data to unprecedented refugee restrictions, FBI raids on voting rights groups, and the defunding of medical school civil rights.

Plus, don’t miss our Recent Wins! We're celebrating major court victories, including federal judges blocking the administration from seizing trans minors' medical records, moving trans women to men's prisons, and imposing harsh conditions on SNAP benefits.

Read the full recap here:

Recapping the top national developments you should know

06/12/2026

🎉HB5492 has passed the ILGA, ensuring that state-regulated insurance plans will cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy when clinically appropriate.

This change will help reduce barriers, cut down on pharmacy visits, and support uninterrupted access to essential care for people across the state.

For many who rely on hormone therapy to manage a range of health needs, including gender-affirming care, menopause, cancer-related treatment, and other conditions, this means greater stability, dignity, and peace of mind.

Illinois continues to move forward as a leader in protecting access to care. Thank you State Rep. Katie Stuart and State Senator Lakesia Collins for championing this bill! The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

06/12/2026

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

In a historic acquittal of a criminalized survivor charged with 1st degree murder for an act of self-defense, Vanessa Sanders is FREE!

https://gofund.me/c39bc9cfb

For ELEVEN years, Vanessa was incarcerated in Cook County Jail and then on GPS monitoring/house arrest. Today Vanessa is having her electronic shackle removed.

We cannot get back all that Vanessa lost during her confinement--and that loss is far more than financial--nor can we get back the hundreds of thousands of public dollars the state spent on locking her up and prosecuting her, but we can help her reclaim her life with mutual support funds and that will mean more than you may know to Vanessa, who is already deeply grateful for the support.

Please donate if you can, and share the fundraiser widely!

https://gofund.me/c39bc9cfb

06/12/2026

There’s a shift happening in how doctors talk about menopause care.

What was once called “hormone replacement therapy” is now simply “hormone therapy,” reflecting a better understanding: menopause is a natural life transition, not a disease to be “fixed.”

The goal isn’t to replace hormones, but to safely manage symptoms which can be severe for many people. In fact, hormone therapy can be up to 95% effective for relief.

Language shapes care, and this shift centers people’s lived experiences.

Health care providers no longer use the term “hormone replacement therapy” when treating menopause symptoms. The treatment is now called hormone therapy, reflecting a change in medical understanding.

06/11/2026

❤️ Cook County Health’s free doula program is helping reshape maternal care in Chicago, especially for Black women who face significantly higher pregnancy-related risks in Illinois. Cook County Health has embedded doulas directly into hospital care at no cost to patients, supporting more than 340 families so far with a team of 10 doulas.

Launched with a $1 million investment, the program focuses on reducing stress, improving birth outcomes, and rebuilding trust in maternal care. One patient described finally having a doula as feeling “like a team” during delivery.

Cook County Health's free doula program has helped hundreds navigate having children.

06/11/2026

Accessible Juneteenth 2026 is NEXT WEEK!! Join us for a celebration of the Black disability community at a fun and accessible, family friendly event!

🗓Tuesday, June 16, 4:00-7:30pm
📍Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave

This year, DJ Matt returns to bless us with music fit for our Accessible Juneteenth celebration. We will also have performances from Aaron Schiffman, Cherlnell Lane, LLC, Jada Mercedes Thompson, Victoria Boateng, and Miss Mamas.

We are excited to share food from Cook It Mama Café (sandwiches & salads with vegan & gluten-free options).

We’ll have tables where you can meet people from Black-owned and disability-owned/friendly organizations and businesses. If you’re a Black and/or disability-owned/friendly business or organization and would like to be an exhibitor, sign up at: https://forms.gle/bxvyNLbF25v7RQ2a7

We are also looking for volunteers to help run many aspects of Accessible Juneteenth; if you’re interested, sign up at: https://forms.gle/sdwMB58rDTipznm19

Schedule/What to Expect:
4:00 pm Doors Open
4:30 pm Welcome and Announcements
5:00 pm Showcase
Throughout: Food! Exhibitors! And more
7:30 pm Event ends/doors close

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

For more full details and information, check out the Accessible Juneteenth event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

This event is brought to you by Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, Access Living, The Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago, UIC Disability Cultural Center, Center for Racial and Disability Justice (University of California, Los Angeles), UIC Black Studies, UIC Black Cultural Center, and UIC Chancellors Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (CCSPD).

06/11/2026

A powerful new piece highlights how “criminalized survival” pushes abused women into the justice system, often for acts of self-defense or coercion. Research shows the majority were victims before incarceration, and many were simply trying to protect themselves or their loved ones.

Right now in Illinois, two survivors need our support:
💌 Vanessa Sanders: http://bit.ly/FreeVanessaSanders
💌 Keshia Golden: https://bit.ly/FreeKeshia

➡️ Use these links to send an email to Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen Burke and demand the charges be dropped.


https://msmagazine.com/2026/06/08/women-jail-prison-abuse-domestic-violence-tanisha-williams/

When I first began reporting on incarcerated women, I was fascinated by studies that showed that showed that upwards of 70 percent of women in jails and prisons were subjected to intimate partner violence before they were incarcerated. But as I covered more stories on the topic, I started to see tha...

06/10/2026

Check out the Accessible Virtual Pride Celebration! 🏳️‍🌈

Looking for a safe, inclusive, and COVID-conscious space to celebrate Pride this year? Produced by Calling Up Justice and One Free Community, this virtual event is powered by community care, accessibility, and love. It's a wonderful space created specifically for disabled, q***r, and COVID-cautious LGBTQ+ folks and allies.

🗓️ When: July 4–5, 2026
💸 Cost: Free to attend!
📍 Where: Online

👉 Learn more and register: https://callingupjustice.com/accessible-virtual-pride-2026/