Cheryle Robinson Jackson, our candidate in the IL-Senate race, took a strong stand against the Stupak/Pitts Amendment today. In an email to supporters about her reactions to the House and Senate versions of the bill, she called the amendment "an insidious way to take us back to the dark ages."

"The Stupak-Pitts amendment to the House bill that passed would deny millions of women access to safe, affordable reproductive health care and would especially hurt lower income women. It would even prohibit women from using their own private money for such coverage. Just yesterday, the George Washington University released a study that found that this amendment would end up eliminating ALL abortion coverage eventually – for ALL women."

Cheryle Robinson Jackson is campaigning at full speed in her Illinois Senate race, traveling across the state and letting voters know she has a plan for change.

Earlier this month, Cheryle traveled through Southern Illinois, meeting and talking with voters. The focus of her first stop in Carbondale? Helping women and small businesses.

"The way you make jobs in this environment is you've got to make certain that small businesses have the support that they need. They're watching big banks get bailed out when they can't get a loan," Cheryle said.

The solution, Cheryle says, is to give small businesses access to loans and technical assistance -- especially businesses owned by minorities and women.

That's a message Cheryle also shared as the keynote speaker at an event last week for the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League. Emphasizing the importance of investing in women, green jobs, and small businesses, Cheryle told the audience that bold ideas and dreaming big would be key to getting the economy back on track.

Cheryle Robinson Jackson is on the road. The Illinois Senate candidate is planning a trip across the state to meet with supporters and get her message out to voters. With a February primary around the corner, Cheryle knows that she has to work now to build the resources and support she'll need to win.

And being on the road doesn't mean Cheryle gets a break between stops. She's also been doing a number of great interviews, including a nice piece in Kankakee's Daily Journal. Here's a quick excerpt:

The Daily Journal: Why did you decide to run for U.S. Senate?

Jackson: My curiosity was piqued when a group of women asked me to consider running. Then I was pleasantly surprised to find my name on President Obama's short list of six people he thought were qualified to replace him in the Senate.

Recently endorsed Senate candidate Cheryle Robinson Jackson (IL) was in DC last week, and we were fortunate enough to catch her when she stopped by the office. I wanted to share a few quick photos from her visit and say what an incredible senator she's going to make. While Cheryle was at EMILY's List, I sat in on a meeting she had with a number of leaders from women's groups in the area, and everything I'd heard about her empathy and dynamic personality proved true.

Cheryle's definitely the real deal -- a candidate who understands the issues, has the experience and the know-how to get things done, and the compassion to understand truly the struggles facing her constituents.

One thing Cheryle said really struck me. Everything in her career, she said, has had "a common thread: people and change."

What more could you want in the person who will fill President Obama's former Senate seat?

More excitement in Illinois!

We just announced that we're throwing our support behind Cheryle Robinson Jackson in what is expected to be one of the hottest races of 2010 – the race to fill the Senate seat that was held by President Obama. Republicans have targeted this seat for takeover and are backing a well-funded, five-term GOP congressman. We know that Cheryle, the first female president of the Chicago Urban League and a pioneering leader and experienced executive is the strongest Democrat to fend off this takeover attempt. Jackson is the only woman and the only African American running for this historic Senate seat. If she wins in November, Jackson would be the only African American in the U.S. Senate.

Here’s what EMILY's List president Ellen R. Malcolm has to say about Cheryle:

"Cheryle Robinson Jackson is a dynamic and charismatic leader who is hands down the best candidate to keep President Obama's former Senate seat in the Democratic column. As the first female president of the Chicago Urban League and after holding high-level positions with Amtrak and National Public Radio, Cheryle is an experienced executive dedicated to fostering economic growth and empowering people across Illinois."

Cheryle will be only the second African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, taking the same seat that Carol Moseley Braun held from 1993-1999. EMILY's List is proud to be a part of this chance to make history. The Democratic primary is only a few months away, and we are ready to go!

Ellen is right – the Illinois's February 2 primary gives Jackson little time to build a statewide campaign. She'll be counting on EMILY's List members to help her win this critical race.

Learn more about Cheryle here.