About Us

LGBTQ FORUM WITH THE CHICAGO MAYORAL CANDIDATES

With the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans under attack by the Trump Administration and the urgent need to continue our pro-equality progress in the City of Chicago, LGBTQ Chicagoans need to know where the candidates for mayor stand on the many issues of interest and importance to our lives. LGBTQ community organizations Affinity Community Services, …

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Year-End Giving

As Equality Illinois comes to the end of another successful year of serving LGBTQ Illinoisans, we want to THANK YOU for your contributions and volunteer service! Today, we are calling on your support to participate in our annual “Year-End Giving Campaign” as we continue to pave a future free of bias, bigotry, and discrimination. Your contribution will continue …

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CAPITOL CLUB

The Capitol Club is the premier donor group and the backbone of Equality Illinois. As a donor, you are investing in the vital work of Equality Illinois–statewide campaigns that promote fair treatment for LGBTQ citizens of Illinois. Your membership in the Capitol Club is a partnership with Equality Illinois and an investment in our joint …

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Three New Laws Advance LGBTQ Equality in 2018

Three pro-LGBTQ equality laws that were legislative priorities for Equality Illinois go into effect with the new year. As of Jan. 1, 2018, laws that ban the anti-LGBTQ panic defense, modernize birth certificate changes, and encourage LGBTQ public leadership opportunities will help build a better Illinois. “Across the country, we have seen attacks on the …

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Illinois Scores Unprecedented LGBTQ Legislative Victories

On the same day last week that President Trump rolled back rights for transgender Americans, two new civil rights advances for LGBTQ Illinoisans became law. One week earlier, a third new LGBTQ-affirming policy became law in Illinois. These bills were all part of the Equality Illinois 2017 Legislative Agenda. We need your help to continue …

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Equality Illinois PAC Makes Endorsements

The Equality Illinois PAC announces endorsements of 51 candidates, including Susana A. Mendoza for Illinois State Comptroller and state legislative candidates, in the general election on November 8, 2016. “The opponents of LGBT equality and inclusion are determined to stop progress towards full equality,” said Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. “We must be …

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Equality Illinois Names Brian C. Johnson as CEO

Equality Illinois’ work on behalf of LGBT Illinoisans and their families enters its second quarter century under a new leader who has a history of social justice advocacy, building diverse coalitions and improving educational outcomes for youth. Named today as the Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois is Brian C. Johnson, who currently serves as …

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Thank you, Bernard

As we say thank you to our CEO Bernard Cherkasov, who is departing this week, we appreciate how he has helped to give Equality Illinois and the LGBT Illinoisans and families we represent a seat at the national policy table. He’s led multiple delegations to Washington to meet with officials, including this meeting with House …

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Thank you, Bernard

Equality Illinois’ CEO Bernard Cherkasov is stepping down later this year. Bernard was at the forefront of the campaigns for passage of civil unions and marriage equality in Illinois, as well as legislation that enhances hate crime protections and protects LGBT youth through strengthened anti-bullying policies and a conversion therapy ban. He’ll remain at the …

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Best Nine of 2015

Best Nine of 2015: Here are the most-liked memes from Equality Illinois this year from Instagram. Top row (l-r): Celebrating the Supreme Court decision recognizing the national right to same-sex marriage, and the White House illuminated in a rainbow in honor of the ruling. Also our statement in support of accepting refugees. Middle row: Entertainer …

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EQIL PAC to host Pat Quinn

On January 14, join former Governor Pat Quinn in supporting the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee and our work to elect pro-equality candidates. Let’s defend our victories and elect pro-LGBT equality candidates in the critical 2016 elections. Together, we will ensure Illinois continues to lead the Midwest in advancing equal rights for LGBT people. TICKETS

Equality Illinois PAC Hosts David Axelrod

The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (EQIL PAC) will host a conversation on November 17 with renowned political strategist David Axelrod about the stakes and opportunities for Illinoisans in the 2016 election. Axelrod is uniquely qualified to provide analysis about electoral and political activities and trends in Illinois and the United States. A former political …

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$25 for 25 years

A special message from Art Johnston, Equality Illinois co-founder: As we enter Equality Illinois’ 25th year, I look back in astonishment at what we accomplished together, and feel so positive about our collective ability to tackle the challenges ahead. If you went out in the 1970s to a bar where gay and trans people gathered, …

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Election Day Endorsements

Governor Pat Quinn’s leading role in achieving first civil unions and then marriages for same-sex couples, his open and inclusive administration, and his strong support for policies that protect LGBT students from bullying and LGBT workers from discrimination make Governor Quinn the choice of the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee, the only statewide PAC focused …

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New EQIL Chairs Spearhead Ambitious Agenda

Three new board chairs will lead Equality Illinois at protecting full implementation of the new freedom to marry in Illinois, advocating a national agenda including passage of broad workplace protections, and implementing fresh approaches on a broad range of issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. Grant Gochnauer, a technology entrepreneur, is the new …

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