Dear CLC community, I officially assume the role of Executive Director of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights on January 28th, …
PEER Illinois Submits Public Comment to IRS Opposing Implementation of the National School Voucher Program
Private school voucher programs aggravate public school funding shortfalls while failing to improve academic outcomes. President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” …
Chicago Needs The Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination Waitlist Ordinance
Across Chicago, people continue to face barriers when searching for affordable housing – they must rigorously research, travel all over …
Standing Up for Voter Access in Monroe County, Indiana
The right to vote is fundamental to a healthy democracy and election administration decisions directly impact how and whether eligible …
Community Victory: Jackson Park Housing Pilot Ordinance Passes After a Decade of Organizing
After years of community advocacy, the City Council has passed the Jackson Park Housing Pilot Ordinance – a critical step …
Former Intern Joseph Dole Publishes “Voting as a Crime Prevention Strategy”
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee had the privilege of working with community leader Joseph Dole on carceral voting initiatives in 2023 and …
Nonpartisan Voting Rights Organizations Send Second Notice of Violation of the National Voter Registration Act to Indiana State Election Officials
On July, 1, 2025, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and William …
Support for a Vote Center Model in Monroe County, Indiana
Through its Midwest Voting Rights Program, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights has been a leader in advocating for voter …
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee Joins Education Civil Rights Alliance in Opposing EOs 14280 & 14281
“On April 23, 2025, President Trump issued two executive orders that will erode civil rights protections for students if implemented. …
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee’s Testimony Opposing the SAVE Act
Ami Gandhi, Director of the Midwest Voting Rights Program, provided testimony on behalf of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights …
Protecting the Vote – 2025 Illinois Municipal Elections
Municipal elections are an important opportunity for voters to make their voices heard and to elect their local leaders. Chicago …
HOPE, NCR, Four Black Women File Lawsuit After Investigation Reveals Source of Income Discrimination by Fulton Grace Realty
HOPE Fair Housing Center (HOPE), Northside Community Resources (NCR), and four Housing Choice Voucher (Voucher) holders filed a lawsuit against …
Nonpartisan Voting Rights Organizations Warn Indiana State Election Officials that Discriminatory Citizenship Check Law Violates Federal Law
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and William R. Groth and Daniel …
New Report Highlights Harmful Effects of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances
Crime-Free and Nuisance Property Ordinances (CFNOs) don’t make communities safer—they punish renters for calling 911, force families into eviction without …
Federal Government Cuts Funding for Organizations that Enforce Fair Housing Laws
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Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Files Lawsuit Against Recent Discriminatory Executive Orders on Behalf of Chicago Women in Trades
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not illegal. Today, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights filed a lawsuit challenging recent discriminatory …
Illinois Receives an “F” in Funding Distribution in Making the Grade Report
The Education Law Center releases a “Making the Grade” report every year, and this year Illinois received an “F” in …
Nonpartisan All IN for Democracy Coalition Sends Letter Opposing Indiana Senate Bill 10
This week, the nonpartisan All IN for Democracy coalition sent a letter to Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston urging him …
Court Rules that the TIF Investment Committee is a Public Body under the Open Meetings Act
A win for transparency and accountability! The Cook County Circuit Court has ruled that the TIF Investment Committee is a …
Congratulations Oi, on your Next Chapter!
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Chicago Lawyers’ Committee Files Class-Action Lawsuit Against Mac Properties for Systematic Source of Income Discrimination
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. held a press conference today alongside …
Chicago School Board Election is about the Fight for Public Education
FIND LEGAL HELP DONATE CONTACT GET OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email …
Education Equity Team Honored at Raise Your Hand Event
Last night, Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education (RYH) honored both Beatriz Diaz-Pollack and Chris Bridges from our Chicago …
PEER Illinois Responds to Governor Pritzker’s FY26 Budget Address
At a time when public education is facing significant challenges at the federal level, Illinois students deserve more than the …
Highlighting the Work of our Voting Rights Public Engagement Intern – Joseph Dole!
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee had the great opportunity of working with Joseph Dole on voting rights initiatives, specifically carceral voting initiatives, …
Support for Michigan Voting Rights Act
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee alongside United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), recently submitted testimony in support of the Michigan Voting …
Protecting Voter Access in the November 5th General Election
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights concluded our 2024 nonpartisan Election Protection effort during the November 5th General Election, mobilizing …
PEER Illinois – FY26 ISBE Budget Hearing Written Statement
October 28, 2024 Dr. Steven Isoye, ChairIllinois State Board of Education Dr. Patricia Nugent, ChairFinance and Audit Committee of the …
Leadership Spotlight: Welcoming Our New Board President
In March, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (CLC) welcomed our new Board President, José Behar! José has been a committed board …
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee Urges Evanston/Skokie SD65 to Reconsider Proposal to Close Bessie Rhodes School
Today, we submitted a letter to encourage the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education to reconsider the consequential vote …
Brown v. Board Turns 70: A Call to Action for Education Equity in Illinois
by: Beatriz Diaz-Pollack and Zindy Marquez A central element of our educational resource equity advocacy is working diligently alongside our …
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee and UCCRO Submit Testimony in Support of the Michigan Voting Rights Act
On May 1st, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights’ Midwest Voting Rights team, together with community partner United Congress of …
Election Protection Volunteers Protect the Right to Vote during the 2024 Indiana Primary Election
On May 7th, voters across Indiana showed up at the polls for their Primary Election. Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil …
Groundbreaking Report Reveals Urgent Need for Restricting Solitary Confinement in Illinois
Today, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Restore Justice, and Uptown People’s Law Center have released a critical report titled …
Election Protection Volunteers Protect the Right to Vote in the March 2024 Illinois Primary Elections
During the March 19 Illinois Primary Election cycle, over 100 non-partisan Election Protection pro bono volunteers and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee …
PEER IL Response to Governor Pritzker’s FY25 Budget Address
Governor J.B. Pritzker’s 6th annual Budget Address recommends a FY2025 Budget that includes increases to important education priorities, but fails …
Public Housing Land is Not for Sale
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee and Our Partners Challenge CHA Land Lease to Billionaire-Owned Soccer Team Dismissed, but CHA Accountability Campaign Continues …
The Hogan v. Airbnb Case: Challenging Discrimination in the Digital Era
As more aspects of daily life move online — like stores, schools, entertainment, and banking — it’s crucial to ensure …
Q&A with J. Cunyon Gordon – Honoring Veterans Day
We had the honor of sitting down with our very own J. Cunyon Gordon, Director of the Settlement Assistance Program, …
Public Comment by Beatriz Diaz-Pollack – FY25 Illinois State Board of Education Budget Hearing
On Monday, October 30, 2023, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) hosted a public budget hearing to gather input …
Underserved Communities: Understanding the Challenges and Solutions
Underserved communities are those that have been systematically denied equal opportunities to participate in various aspects of economic, social, and …
Sertoma Centre and New Star recently merged – Pro Bono Highlight!
Sertoma Centre and New Star recently completed a merger and are now called “Sertoma Star Services” with the help of …
Testimony Opposing Indiana HB1116
HB1116, a bill being considered by Indiana legislature, would take Indiana election law in the wrong direction and would disenfranchise …
Continuing a Long History of Women Lawyers Preserving Democracy by Protecting the Vote
FIND LEGAL HELP DONATE CONTACT GET OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email …
Election Protection Volunteers Improve Voter Access in the Illinois and Indiana Midterm Elections
November 9, 2022: As people throughout Illinois and Indiana showed up at their polling places yesterday to cast their votes …
Preparing for the 2022 Midterm Election—Polling Place Reductions and Voter Access
By Cliff Helm, Voting Rights & Civic Empowerment Program Counsel, and Kiana Henley, Election Protection Coordinator Our Voting Rights team, …
Support for Illinois Senate Bill 828: Voting in Prison
As Veterans Day approaches, J. Cunyon Gordon, Senior Counsel at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, shared the below statement …
Combatting Exclusionary Disciplinary Policies Towards Students
By Ameil Kenkare, a 2021 Equal Justice Works Fellow in the sponsored by AbbVie Inc. and Kirkland & Ellis. Ameil …
Congratulations and Best Wished to Newly Appointed Judge Nancy Maldonado!
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights wishes a fond farewell and a heartfelt thank-you to Nancy Maldonado, our fabulous, long-serving …
Election Protection Volunteers Help Illinois Voters Address Difficulties and Cast Ballots in Tuesday’s Primary Election
As primary elections took place in Illinois on Tuesday, our 866-OUR-VOTE hotline legal volunteers answered calls all day from people …
Recent Appellate Filing in Continued Fight for Environmental Justice for Pembroke
Last week, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee attorneys, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund and Blacks in Green, filed an appellate …
Celebrating Ten Years of Bootcamp for Nonprofit Founders: 467 Emerging Leaders + 45 Volunteer Lawyers = Big Win for Chicago
As we gather for our annual Power of Connection event on June 9, 2022, and honor pro bono volunteers from …
Q&A WITH SUMMER INTERN MELISA TOPIC
Melisa Topic is a second year law student at Chicago-Kent College of Law. She was born and raised in Chicago …
South Side Weekly receives federal tax-exempt nonprofit status with the help of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee and Mayer Brown LLP
South Side Weekly recently completed a merger and received federal tax-exempt nonprofit status with the help of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee …
2023 Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service – Joseph Dusek
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois held its ceremony for the 2023 Awards for Excellence in …
Testimony by Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Before the Illinois House Secondary Education Committee in Suppport of House Bill 3446
On May 16th, Beatriz Diaz-Pollack, Director of Education Equity, joined the PEER IL coalition in advocating for House Bill 3446, …
Testimony by Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Before the Illinois Ethics & Elections Committee in Support of House Bill 39
Pictured left, Cliff Helm, Senior Counsel at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee. Pictured right, Erik Snapp of Dechert LLP. On May 9th, …
Protecting the Right to Vote During the April 2023 Illinois Municipal Elections
April 11, 2023: On April 4, non-partisan Election Protection volunteers assisted voters in Chicago and across Illinois participating in municipal …
Remembering Lowell E. Sachnoff and His Contributions to Chicago Lawyers’ Committee
(Chicago – March 23, 2023) – Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights mourns the recent loss of legendary attorney Lowell …
“We Aren’t Our Past and We Aren’t Our Past Convictions.” – Settlement Assistance Program Client
Everyone deserves a second chance. For Mr. Jones*, who spent time in prison for mistakes made earlier in his life, …
Election Protection Volunteers Improve Voter Access in the Feb. 28 Illinois Consolidated Primary Election
March 1, 2023: On Tuesday, voters in Chicago and select Illinois counties participated in municipal elections. They voted on offices …
A Letter from Our New Executive Director
I am honored to join Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and to lead a remarkable organization with a legendary …