Get Involved |
July 19, 2018
As part of our commitment to an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders across Illinois, Equality Illinois launched the Community Advisory Group in 2016. The group is a diverse cross-section of voices from across Illinois that informs the policy positions and initiatives we adopt and pursue in our work to secure and defend the equal and inclusive rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans.
If you’re interested, go to the application page to review the objectives and responsibilities of the Community Advisory Group, then download, complete, and return the form.
We want to make sure the Community Advisory Group includes the diverse views of LGBTQ Illinoisans from every corner of the state. Together, we will advance justice and equality in Illinois.
MORE INFORMATION and APPLICATION
Breaking News in Illinois |
July 5, 2018
On July 5, Equality Illinois, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, ACLU of Illinois, and Courts Matter Illinois called on U.S. senators to reject any of Trump’s dangerous anti-abortion candidates to the Supreme Court who would overturn Roe v. Wade, the historic case that legalized abortion in the United States, and roll back civil rights protections including LGBTQ, immigrant and voting rights.
“Federal courts have played critical roles in helping to advance the civil rights of LGBTQ people, including decriminalizing same-sex relationships, marriage equality, and protecting transgender students in schools. These rulings have recognized our shared American values of equality, dignity, and the freedom to be who we are without burden or discrimination,” said Michael Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois.
Ziri emphasized: “Opponents of equality want to transform the US Supreme Court and lower courts into instruments that would turn back the civil rights clock. With anti-equality forces being just one Supreme Court justice away from having that power, we call on our political leaders – including Senators Durbin and Duckworth and Governor Rauner – to take action and defend Illinois values.”
Community Event Stay Informed |
June 22, 2018
The City Club of Chicago hosted a historic event on June 19, 2018, its first discussion of LGBTQ issues at this well-known and respected public forum, whose co-founder was Jane Addams.
Led by Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson, the panel featured Tracy Baim of Windy City Times, Kim L. Hunt of Pride Action Tank, David Ernesto Munar of Howard Brown Health, and trans resource navigator Reyna Ortiz.
The full program, Taking Pride in Our Story: Chicago and Its LGBTQ Community, can be watched here:
A report on the panel discussion was posted by Windy City Times.
Anti-Discrimination Take Action |
June 18, 2018
If you work for a business with 14 or fewer employees outside of Cook County, you can still be fired for being LGBTQ, a racial minority, a woman, or because of your faith.
That’s right. The Illinois Human Rights Act’s workplace non-discrimination protections only apply to businesses with 15 or more employees. And that leaves out thousands of businesses and their workers. Tell Gov. Rauner to protect these uncovered workers.
House Bill 4572, sponsored by state Rep. Will Guzzardi and state Sen. Cristina Castro, would apply workplace protections of the Illinois Human Rights Act to all businesses throughout the state. Click to tell Gov. Rauner to sign this bill.
Event Calendar