Women's Law and Policy Project


The Women's Law and Policy Project's mission is to create and promote legal and policy solutions to improve the lives of low-income women and girls. The WLPP creates new rights and opportunities where none exist and improves upon those that do. We bring to bear the full weight and strength of our legal and policy expertise to help low-income women and girls to escape poverty permanently.

Learn more about the WLPP

Ensuring Success in School Task Force Report
The Ensuring Success in School Task Force has submitted its Final Report to the Illinois General Assembly. Wendy Pollack, director of the Women’s Law and Policy Project, is a member of the Ensuring Success in School Task Force and was deeply involved in the work of the task force, including the report.

Manuals and Training Materials

An Agenda for Change: An Illinois Perspective on Creating a Better Future for America's Women and Girls
In detailing the issues surrounding women and girls’ continuing fight for equality, An Agenda for Change: An Illinois Perspective on Creating a Better Future for America’s Women and Girls offers specific recommendations that the federal government should adopt to improve their well-being.  By sharing our insight from our efforts to advocate on behalf of Illinois’s women and girls, we hope to inform federal-level policy to ensure that all of our nation’s women and girls are guaranteed quality education and skill development, gainful employment, comprehensive health care, economic security, freedom from violence, and adequate and affordable housing. 

The Safe Homes Act and VAWA:
How to Protect Victims of Violence in Private Rental Market, Public, and Subsidized Housing
On December 11, 2008, the Shriver Center hosted a webinar for service providers on how to protect the housing rights of victims of violence under the Safe Homes Act and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). A recording of the presentation, as well as links to relevant resources, are available.

Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
These brochures, flyers, and legal tools outline provisions of The Safe Homes Act and the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA), which protect the housing rights of victims of domestic and sexual violence. Please feel free to download and distribute any of the materials.

The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act:
What Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Should Know
This pamphlet, produced by the Shriver Center and the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, describes the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act and how survivors of domestic violence can be eligible for compensation under the Act.

Publications

Comments on Proposed Amendment to Illinois Regulations Concerning
Domestic Violence Victims' Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation Benefits
The Shriver Center has filed comments with the Illinois Department of Employment Security on a proposed and emergency amendment to 56 Ill. Adm. Code 2840. The comments suggest that because domestic violence is such a complex issue, the Department should clarify section 2840.101(d), which describes a few examples of circumstances under which a claimant who voluntarily leaves employment due to domestic violence may be eligible for unemployment compensation.  Clarification is needed to explain that the examples in the amendment are just examples of what is possible, not a limitation on what is allowable under the law.

The Ensuring Success in School Act: Promoting School Success and Safety for Young People Who Are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence, by Wendy Pollack, Aleeza Strubel, and Jennifer, as featured in the March-April 2006 issue of Clearinghouse Review

WomanView, a periodic newsletter on legal issues affecting low-income women and girls, is also available from the Project. To subscribe, click here.

Advocacy Materials

Crisis Assistance
Women may be entitled to Crisis Assistance under the TANF program on the basis of having fled their homes to escape domestic violence. The Shriver Center has prepared four sample letters, two for use by shelter staff and two for use by domestic violence agency advocates, to help women obtain Crisis Assistance benefits.

Education Reform Bill to Promote School Success
A coalition of youth, education, and violence advocates, spearheaded by the Shriver Center, has drafted a bill to promote school success and safety for Illinois students who are expectant parents, parents, or the victims of domestic or sexual violence.