PEORIA (25News Now) – Hundreds of women gathered at the state Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, calling on lawmakers to make it easier for women to enter and succeed in skilled trade jobs.

The rally, part of Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield, highlighted ongoing efforts to increase the number of women in the construction and building trades.

The Illinois AFL-CIO has set a goal of raising the percentage of women in these jobs to 20% over the next five years.

Representative Lisa Hernández (D – Cicero) introduced a House resolution calling for equal access to construction jobs by addressing barriers such as childcare, training opportunities, and workforce diversity. A resolution does not have legislative power,

Supporters say the measure would not only provide women with stable, high-paying careers but also help address the ongoing skilled labor shortage.

“And we’ve never had a ‘Trades Men Take Over Springfield Day.’ And you know why that is? Because union women get (beep) done,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea during the event.

Organizers say the rally also served as a reminder of the growing role women are playing in the trades. By advocating for policies that support women in these industries, they hope to create a more inclusive workforce that reflects the changing landscape of skilled labor in Illinois.

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