Hundreds of women, men and children gathered in front of the Capitol in Springfield on Tuesday to advocate for a progressive agenda and a balanced budget.

The Women’s March on Springfield is part of a growing movement worldwide of marches and protests.

Participants held a rally at noon before marching around the Capitol and heading into the rotunda to lobby for dozens of progressive bills being considered in the House and Senate.

Senate President John Cullerton spoke at the rally, vowing that the Senate is willing to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s promised veto of HB 40, a measure that would protect legal abortion in Illinois.

“I can’t speak for everyone at the Capitol. But I can speak for the Illinois Senate,” Cullerton said. “And let me tell you, we hear you. You want equality? So do I.”

Cullerton pointed out that the Senate passed legislation ensuring marriage equality for same sex couples, passed the Illinois Voting Rights Act and cleared the way for immigrants to become licensed and insured drivers.

He also called for a budget that includes funding for childcare, breast cancer screenings and domestic violence shelters.

“What’s happening in our communities is a tragedy, and it needs to end now,” Cullerton said. “Let’s stop the political theatrics and get a budget. Too many people have already been hurt.”

Senator Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, spoke about the remaining work towards gender and racial equality and called on the governor to work with lawmakers to pass a balanced budget.

“Today we recognize that although we’ve come a long way, there is still so much more work to do,” Hunter said. “As we embark on this movement for justice, we must work harder to make people aware that racial bias and gender bias must not be tolerated.

“The budget impasse has greatly damaged the economic wellbeing and status of this state. What we need to do is urge the governor to take a stand with us and not against us. Ladies, together, we are more powerful.”

Senator Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, expressed frustration at continued inequality in Illinois and nationwide.

“This is not a march we should have to have. You shouldn’t have to come down here to demand your rights,” Harmon said. “I don’t understand how so many forget that more than half of the people we represent are women.”

Senator Heather Steans, D-Chicago, who is sponsoring the initiative in the Senate for Illinois to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, stressed the importance of action.

“We don’t have equal protections right now,” Steans said. “We need your help.  Let’s make Illinois the 37^th state to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.”

The Senate is considering a number of progressive legislative measures. These include:

• SB 981 – Sponsored by Senator Daniel Biss. The Equal Pay Act.
• SB 1754 – Sponsored by Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez. Allows midwives to be licensed in Illinois.
• SB 1657 – Sponsored by Senator Don Harmon. Requires licensing of gun dealers to slow illegal firearm trafficking.
• SB 298 – Sponsored by Senator Melinda Bush. Creates transparency on gender-based pricing for goods and services.
• SB 1296 – Sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson. Requires paid sick and FMLA time for working families.