{"id":5061446,"date":"2023-01-06T18:31:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T18:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/illatinonews.com\/?p=5061446"},"modified":"2023-01-06T18:31:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T18:31:44","slug":"what-is-the-state-of-menstrual-equity-in-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/2023\/01\/06\/what-is-the-state-of-menstrual-equity-in-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the State of Menstrual Equity in Illinois?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scotland made international headlines in August becoming the first country to provide free period products to its citizens. While the U.S. isn\u2019t there, legislation supporting menstrual equity has been <a href=\"https:\/\/womensvoices.org\/menstrual-equity-bills-passed-in-the-united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cycling through multiple states<\/a> increasingly over the last few years. Illinois has been progressive on this issue, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.illinoiscourts.gov\/News\/949\/Illinois-Court-History-Feminine-Hygiene-Products-Tax\/news-detail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">becoming the third state to end the \u201ctampon tax\u201d<\/a> in 2016, and introducing and implementing several bills into law in 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/illatinonews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5061448\" width=\"335\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/imageedit_62_5393359885.png 1060w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">States highlighted in red currently implement the &#8220;tampon tax&#8221; on menstrual hygiene items such as pantyliners, tampons and menstrual pads.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With so many bills being introduced, it can be difficult to keep track of what\u2019s become the law of the land. IL Latino News spoke to legislators and other parties involved to figure out who these&nbsp;laws are designed to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Low-income people<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.joghr.org\/article\/32436-period-poverty-why-it-should-be-everybody-s-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">16.9 million U.S. menstruators live in poverty<\/a>, making the price of hygiene products extra costly. Without government aid, some people in need rely on <a href=\"http:\/\/illatinonews.com\/period-poverty-in-illinois-community-driven-solutions-fighting-against-the-issue\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">community-driven initiatives<\/a> for pads, tampons and pantyliners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m hoping that the bill HB 155 can close a part of that gap because right now you can get menstrual hygiene products in food pantries or little donation events here and there however, it\u2019s not enough,\u201d said House Representative Barbara Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Hernandez introduced the bill to allow SNAP and WIC recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers and period products. It is already a public act, effective January 2022. In theory, it would benefit a percentage of the 1,090,161 Illinois households receiving SNAP. In actuality, no one is benefitting right now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because SNAP and WIC are federally funded programs, the state initiative cannot be enacted upon without a waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&#8217;s Food and Nutrition Service.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve been trying to contact a few Congress individuals that can push this to increase the funding for SNAP but also include menstrual hygiene products in SNAP in order for us to apply for this waiver and make it legal in Illinois,\u201d said Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>People experiencing housing insecurity&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">House Representative LaToya N. Greenwood sponsored the Feminine Hygiene Products for the Homeless Act in 2021, providing free products in all shelters that serve temporary housing to women or youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She said hearing stories of what people used to supplement products prompted her into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reusing feminine napkins, makeshift napkins, paper towels and newspapers, it was like where are we living? We\u2019re living in the United States, why is this happening? I couldn\u2019t comprehend it but I knew that it was something that needed to change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This law states that shelters are only required to comply if they have availability of funds in their general budget for products. Rep. Greenwood expressed her desire to follow up and hold institutions accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think sometimes we pass legislation and we just think everything is going the way we intended it to go and then you find out it\u2019s absolutely not going the way you intended it to go, so we need to have some real conversations about that with directors of departments to find out where we are at,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Public schools students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2017\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/publicacts\/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0163\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn with Dignity Act<\/a> mandated public schools (grades 6-12) to provide free \u201cfeminine hygiene\u201d products in restrooms. 2021\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&amp;DocNum=156&amp;GAID=16&amp;SessionID=110&amp;LegID=127991\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">House Bill 156<\/a>, led by Rep. Hernandez, switched the original gendered language to \u201cmenstrual hygiene\u201d, expanded coverage to fourth grade, and required boys and gender-neutral bathrooms to contain free products as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat one got the most pushback because the concept of the whole \u2018what is a woman\u2019 and \u2018men don\u2019t have periods.\u2019 That was a big effort to create awareness, educate the public and really get people to get on board,\u201d said Maureen Keane, Co-founder of She Votes IL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chicago Public Schools (CPS) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/breaking\/ct-chicago-public-schools-bathroom-policy-gender-20211214-shb3sqqgt5gxdbukqyxnypulem-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced girls+ and boys+ restrooms in 2021<\/a> as a gender-affirming initiative for students, despite backlash from some parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reality is that in a few years we might see more transgender youth and I want to make sure that we\u2019re taking those steps ahead now to make sure that they feel comfortable going to those restrooms whenever they need,&#8221; said Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur goal is really [to have products] in all buildings, all bathrooms,\u201d said CPS Executive Director of the Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) Tarrah DeClemente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The products are stored in metal dispensers traditionally found in public restrooms. According to DeClemente, a supply chain issue of these dispensers has slowed the integration of free products in all required restrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll schools have product, it\u2019s just a matter of getting it into the boys+ restrooms, but all schools have dispensers and products in girls+,\u201d she explained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nprillinois.org\/education-desk\/2020-02-26\/dispensing-dignity-il-law-promised-free-supplies-in-schools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anecdotal research by NPR Illinois<\/a><strong> <\/strong>suggested that products were not available in all public Illinois schools in 2020. IL Latino News is investigating the current status of implementation in CPS.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incarcerated Illinoisians<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Hernandez\u2019s HB 4218 passed in December, requiring all Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to provide menstrual hygiene products for free and as needed, for all incarcerated people who menstruate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She Votes IL worked heavily on drafts of this bill and Keane says they were adamant about including underwear as period supplies \u2013 an item that usually isn\u2019t included on these lists and an essential that isn\u2019t accessible to all committed people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you need new underwear you need to buy them at the commissary. If you need more than six pads you need to buy them at the commissary,\u201d she said. Under the new policy, free underwear must be given free of charge, and upon request, including multiple requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a denial of basic human rights to expect incarcerated Illinoisans to manage on a limited supply, <a href=\"https:\/\/ilhousedems.com\/2022\/12\/05\/hernandez-measure-guaranteeing-incarcerated-illinoisans-access-to-menstrual-hygiene-products-passes-house-and-senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said Rep. Hernandez<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The future of menstrual equity&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2022 closed with initiatives produced by Illinois legislators at the federal level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s picking up. People are being open minded about this and I know here in the state some people looked at me like \u2018why are we talking about this? Why are we legislating about it?&#8230; But I realized that it is a big issue, not only in Illinois but across the country,\u201d said Rep. Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IL Congressman Sean Casten and NY Congresswoman introduced the <a href=\"https:\/\/meng.house.gov\/media-center\/press-releases\/meng-and-casten-introduce-bill-to-expand-access-to-menstrual-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Period PROUD Act of 2022<\/a> to make menstruation more affordable for all Americans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the press release, Rep. Casten stated \u201cThe Period PROUD Act removes that cost-barrier for the 22 million women living in poverty and ensures that a period will never have to prevent someone from going to school or showing up to work. Menstruation is a natural process and the products it requires should be freely accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">_________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Publisher\u2019s Note<\/em>: \u201cWhat is the State of Menstrual Equity in Illinois?\u201d is part of a series of stories on <a href=\"https:\/\/centerforhealthjournalism.org\/2022\/06\/29\/period-poverty-exploring-stigmatization-and-solutions-one-america-s-most-silent-issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">period poverty in Illinois<\/a> supported by the USC-Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. ILLN Editor, Reporter Annabel Rocha was selected as a <a href=\"https:\/\/centerforhealthjournalism.org\/2022\/07\/05\/center-health-journalism-announces-2022-national-fellows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2022 National Fellow<\/a> to explore challenges impacting child, youth and family health and well-being in the U.S.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please consider participating in the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSf_oNXO3mbBm1AvFmgAPhdNQ87h7WPke9RDsJe-p-0PMlSrPQ\/viewform?usp=sf_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Addressing Period Poverty<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSckYfc7WXvE5XNtmzlsKsPhyr_77Crkr8AgEHdhn83HbPy5LQ\/viewform?usp=sf_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abordando La Pobreza Menstrual<\/a> surveys. We want to know your experiences dealing with menstruation and\/or period poverty. In collecting this information, we hope to gain insight on how this issue affects those in our communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We hope to use the data collected from this survey to shape our storytelling and provide the answers you most want to hear during our upcoming event with WBEZ \u201cCommunity Conversation: What is Period Poverty?\u201d on Tuesday, Jan. 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information please contact <a>annabel@latinonewsnetwork.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scotland made international headlines in August becoming the first country to provide free period products to its citizens. While the 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made international headlines in August becoming the first country to provide free period products to its citizens. While the [&hellip;]","authors":[{"term_id":242,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"annabel","display_name":"Annabel Rocha","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"mfb_rest_fields":["title","uagb_featured_image_src","uagb_author_info","uagb_comment_info","uagb_excerpt","authors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5061446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5061446"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5061446\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5061447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5061446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5061446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5061446"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5061446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}