How Melissa McCarthy Plans to Change the Way Clothing Is Sold

Melissa McCarthy wants to change the way clothing is sold.

That might seem like an odd goal for the movie star and comedienne, who's starring in the new comedy Spy. But McCarthy comes from a fashion design background: She studied clothing and textiles at Southern Illinois University, then moved to New York City to study at Fashion Institute of Technology. Then a classmate suggested McCarthy perform at an open mic night, and that was that.

Then, preparing for the 2012 Oscar ceremony, McCarthy was unable to find a designer willing to make her a dress worthy of the red carpet. Designing her own line suddenly seemed a bit more urgent. After about four years of development, Melissa McCarthy Seven7 is due to launch at the end of the summer, when it will be available online and in stores including Macy's, Lane Bryant, and Nordstrom. McCarthy will start by introducing sportswear ranging from $54 to $159.

Unlike most mainstream designers, McCarthy is going to be releasing clothes in sizes 4 to 28. Her goal is to get stores to sell all of them in the same location, rather than sending some customers to the plus-size department or online to find the same clothes that their friends are buying in the main section of the store. Inc has the story.

State Takes Action Against "Miracle Treatment" For Children

The Illinois Attorney General’s office has obtained a signed agreement from a proponent for a controversial autism "cure," promising not to promote her treatment in Illinois.

Last month, NBC 5 Investigates reported on the controversial treatment promoted by former Chicagoan Kerri Rivera. Rivera, who now resides in Mexico, advocates a protocol involving a strict diet and a chemical called chlorine dioxide, sometimes marketed as "Miracle Mineral Solution," or MMS. Chemists say chlorine dioxide is, in reality, a powerful bleach with no known medicinal benefits.

"I would say it would be extremely dangerous to ingest this," said Dr. Karl Scheidt, a chemistry professor at Northwestern University. "Much less a child."

But chlorine dioxide, or "CD" as she calls it, has long been the cornerstone of Rivera’s treatment.

"Autism is treatable," she said in an interview with NBC5 Investigates. "It’s avoidable. And I believe it’s curable." NBC5 has the story.

Report: Illinois insurers lack clear information for women

Most insurance plans offered in Illinois on the health overhaul law’s new marketplace meet the law’s requirements for women’s health, according to a report released Wednesday.

But user-friendly information was lacking, consumer materials were outdated and barriers such as log-in requirements made it impossible to compare birth-control options while shopping among competing health plans.

Information about abortion coverage “was exceptionally difficult” to find, the report noted, with some call center representatives seemingly guessing at what was covered or “whispering or giggling nervously” while providing information.

The report calls for insurance companies to do a better job explaining to women what they cover. Some insurers promised more training for call center workers in response to the findings.

“We found contraceptive coverage is pretty strong in Illinois,” said report co-author Kathy Waligora. “But when we looked at how easy it is to find out what’s actually covered, that was not as positive.”

Read more in the Washington Times.

The 20 most powerful women in Chicago business 2014

From Crain's Chicago Business:

Yes, corporate America still has a woman problem. And Chicago isn't exactly a capital of progress on this front: Of the area's 100 largest public companies, only seven are helmed by women. Now for some good news. We've recently witnessed a string of high-profile promotions of female executives, and more local female business leaders are being named to major corporate boards outside of the city. This movement prompted Crain's to assemble this first-ever ranking. The list below is strictly business: No politicians, or philanthropists, or cultural leaders appear here. Editors considered four criteria: size and importance of a company; title and performance; career trajectory; and an individual's sphere of influence.

Illinois State chosen to help boost women in economics

Illinois State University has been chosen to take part in a national initiative to boost the number of women in economics majors across the country.

Known as the Undergraduate Women in Economics Challenge (UWE), the three-year project will implement strategies for women in introductory economics courses designed to encourage them to stay in the major.

Spearheaded by Harvard University and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the program is administered by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

“The hope is to see a marked difference in the proportion of women who enter the major, a difference in GPA, a reduction in time to complete the major, or other markers of success,” said Illinois State’s Department of Economics Chair David Cleeton.

One of 20 schools chosen—alongside Yale, Princeton, and Brown universities—Illinois State will begin “interventions” in several sections of the Principles of Economics course this fall. Read more of the story by Rachel Hatch.

Women in Leadership: Sarah Hochman

As part of msnbc’s “Women in Politics” series, Bloomingdale, IL native, Sarah Hochman was nominated to represent the University of Illinois as a leader making a difference not only through key issues on campus, but in bridging the gender gap in politics.

Sarah is studying Agricultural Economics and Policy and her dream job would be U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. She is currently Vice President-Internal for the Illinois Student Senate.

Here are her answers to MSNBC's questions:

What is your biggest challenge as a leader on campus?
Championing the female voice without alienating the men on campus.

Which female leaders do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from many female leaders, but my mother has inspired me since day one. She has worked tirelessly to build a successful career, but she has always remained involved in my life as well.  She was my Girl Scout troupe leader for seven years, the elementary headroom mom for 10 years, listened to every band concert I played in, volunteered with our marching band, and supported us through it all.  Even when she became a single mother, she ensured everything was the same for my brother and me. She is the woman who inspires me every day to be the best person I can be.

Read the rest of  Sarah Hochman's interview.

Read about Sarah's efforts on campus.

Tell us which women leaders most inspire you.

Who's your pick for the face on the new $10 bill? Only catch, it must be a woman

US Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced last week that paper currency will for the first time feature a woman and he is seeking public input on which woman should be represented on the newly designed $10 bill.

The focus of the Treasury Secretary selection will be a notable woman who championed for our inclusive democracy.  In keeping with that theme, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is asking the American people to share ideas, symbols, and designs for the new $10 note that reflect what democracy means to them. You can share your ideas using the hashtag #TheNew10 or by visiting thenew10.treasury.gov.

Influencing Illinois

There's a lot that goes on in government that affects our families' daily lives. Elected officials make decisions that impact the quality of our children's education and the quality of care for our aging parents. They influence the programs for our military veterans, senior citizen and persons with disabilities. They play an important role in providing for health care and jobs in our communities and for keeping our families safe.

As women, these are all things we care deeply about. It is often women who make the primary decisions for their families about education, childcare and health care. We agonize over whether our aging parents can live at home with help or reside in an assisted living center and question if they’d be better served in a nursing home. We want the best for our children and our families no matter their needs. We demand safe communities and we crave a strong economy with good paying jobs.

It seems elected officials should be listening a little more to the women of this state.

This blog is about women, our families and the way we influence elected and government officials in the state of Illinois. It is a resource for information and a space to offer your perspective.

Let me know what you think of the concept, of the posts and what else you’d like to know.