On Friday, we warned that Illinois’ non-discrimination law is in danger and more than two thousand of you participated in our call to save that law!

The State Senate bill (SB3447) to roll back some protections of the Illinois Human Rights Act, which currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, was scheduled for a hearing and a vote this Tuesday, but it did not get called. 

This doesn't mean that the bill is dead.  The bill can still be called for a committee hearing and vote, so you must continue to make your voices heard. 

The bill would carve out exceptions to the Act, allowing certain employers and tax-exempt organizations to discriminate against Illinoisans on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.  The bill was authored by State Senator Bill Brady, Republican gubernatorial hopeful, though the chief sponsorship has since changed to State Sen. John O. Jones.

Here’s what you can do NOW to save Illinois Human Rights Act:

Visit our website to learn more about the bill and take action by 

1.  Contacting a State Senator on the Judiciary Committee, especially if this is your State Senator. 

2.  Helping Equality Illinois continue its forceful defense of the Human Rights Act in Springfield, by donating to our advocacy efforts today.  We need to have a full advocacy team in Springfield to derail these angry, ill-willed attacks. We cannot do this work without your help.

I look forward to seeing your name on the list of those who take action.

Thank you,

Bernard Cherkasov

Chief Executive Officer