For nearly two decades, Equality Illinois has worked to end discrimination against LGBT people. The organization was founded by the activists who led the fight to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the City of Chicago.
Most notably, Equality Illinois led the successful (and long-fought) effort to outlaw discrimination against LGBT people throughout the State. We achieved a benchmark victory with the passage of an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, signed into law in 2005 and effective on January 1, 2006. Because of the work of Equality Illinois, the Act now prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations across our State.
Equality Illinois played an integral role in securing domestic partner benefits for city, county and state workers.
Equality Illinois worked with local communities throughout Illinois to pass non-discrimination ordinances, including Cook County and the cities of Bloomington, Chicago, Decatur, DeKalb, Peoria, and Springfield.
Equality Illinois has also worked with numerous corporations in establishing non-discrimination policies, as well as domestic partnership benefits, for their employees.
In 2000, we created the Equality Illinois Education Project, our 501(c)(3) arm, to focus on the educational and charitable aspects of our mission. Through the Equality Illinois Education Project, we continue to educate the public about the need to secure the rights of all Illinois citizens, couples and families. The work of the Equality Illinois Education Project reaches individuals and organizations both in the LGBT community and the general public - across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. We are proud to enjoy the support of prominent organizations and individuals in the business, civic, civil rights, legislative, and religious arenas. Equality Illinois will continue to educate and to persuade the citizens of our State that they have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by embracing the fundamental principle of equality.
