In an effort to protect women’s healthcare, economic security and justice, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) passed legislation that would make all feminine hygiene products free for students grades 6-12.

“One of the reasons girls miss many days of school is because they do not have access to these products,” said Hunter. “Young women do not plan on having a menstrual cycle, it’s something that just happens. It’s an absolute necessity to supply our younger women with the resources they need.”

House Bill 3215 is an initiative of “Illinois Moving Women Forward” a group that aims to remove gender inequalities in order to enable women to achieve their full potential. Of their three principles, the group’s main focus is to protect and improve the access to affordable healthcare for women.

“This is not only about personal hygiene but about dignity as well,” Hunter said. “Our younger women deserve to be taken care of and we as a state can do so at a small expense.”

The legislation passed both chambers and will move to the governor for further consideration.