Every month many girls and women around the world get their period. It is a natural process that happens, but there are other prevalent physical symptoms that may cause mental and physical strain on women. Therefore, girls/women who are on their period in the state of Illinois should be able to take 2-3 days off each month when they are on their period. 

This will allow improvements in both schoolwork and the workplace environment as physical symptoms such as cramps, stomach and back pain, moodiness, etc. will be able to be combated if the woman has the option of staying home. It will help to create a positive environment for girls and women. 

In the workplace women should be able to get paid leave during their days off each month. It is a matter of providing safety and comfort to women that will then result in more productivity in the workplace. At school, students should not have these absences counted against them. In both school and a workplace, communication between the district and the company should exist, as in school students should be in communication with their teachers about assignments/tests, and if possible in the workplace, women can work from home. 

Through close work with the Illinois Department of Public Health, I believe that this a change that would be able to positively impact and transform the state of Illinois for the better. At the end of the day, girls and women should not have to suffer through additional mental or physical stress factors that periods can cause. They should be able to be excused for 2-3 days when they are on their period.