Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) has spent nearly 45 years championing women’s equity in the construction trades. We have achieved this through our efforts to increase the number of women and other gender minorities prepared to compete for and succeed in trade apprenticeships and non-traditional employment through our training programs, as well as improving opportunities for women to enter and remain in these occupations through technical assistance for industry partners and policy advocacy initiatives. With less than 5% of construction trade jobs held by women in Illinois, leaders in the General Assembly fighting for equity are critical to advancing our work.
With attacks on equity and worker protections at the federal level, our efforts have never been more important. Last year alone witnessed a dramatic dismantling of workplace safety regulations and federal enforcement. During 2025, wage and hour penalties have decreased by 94%, and workplace health and safety penalties have dropped by 47%—the lowest it’s ever been since 2009. These issues will only be exacerbated by further anticipated deregulation and funding cuts.
