EI’s FY21 Annual Report
At a time when LGBTQ civil rights are under attack nationally, we are proud to have worked with the LGBTQ community and allies to help place Illinois at the cutting edge of LGBTQ full equality.
About Us
FY19 Annual Report
2019 was one of the most productive legislative sessions for LGBTQ rights in Illinois history! Equality Illinois has been in awe of the power of our community and the courage of our allies so much over the past year. While we worked on many bills last session, we are most inspired by the impact two …
Emerging Leaders Circle
ARE YOU AN EMERGING LEADER? Equality Illinois is seeking a select, powerful, active group of young professionals to become the next generation of LGBTQ leaders. Equality Illinois envisions a fair and unified Illinois where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or …
Equality Illinois 2019 Gala
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!! SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!! President Obama named him one of four Democrats who represented the future of the Democratic Party and the New York Times ran a column saying that he could be the nation’s “first gay President.” South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, a rising national star among Democrats, will be the keynote speaker at …
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, …
Equality Illinois 2019 Gala
2019 GALA SPECIAL GUEST ANNOUCEMENT COMING SOON!!! We are just 30 days away from the largest LGBTQ equality event in the Midwest! Have you LOCK in your tickets??? This year’s Gala is chaired by community leader Nabeela Rasheed, and is on track to be one of our most successful and vibrant yet! Each year we …
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 …
Equality Illinois 2019 Gala
Now is the time to LOCK in your tickets and seating for the largest LGBTQ equality event in the Midwest and one of the largest in the country! WE invite YOU to Equality Illinois’ 2019 Gala presented by United Airlines and hosted by Hilton Chicago taking place Feb 2, 2019. This year’s Gala is chaired …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Illinois Scores Unprecedented LGBTQ Legislative Victories Read More »
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 …
Art Johnston Honored for Making History
Congratulations to Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston for receiving the Jane Addams Making History Award for Distinction in Social Service from the Chicago History Museum in recognition of his decades of advocacy on behalf of LGBT Illinoisans. After the presentation by Chicago Cubs co-owner and LGBT activist Laura Ricketts during a gala dinner at the …
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 …
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 …
Equality Illinois News
Check out the fresh, new format for our monthly newsletter, out today. We bring you the news of Equality Illinois and the movement for working toward a lived equality for LGBT Illinoisans. Take a look, and signup for our monthly newsletter and other mailings so you can stay informed about the issues and the events …
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 …
New Look, Enduring Commitment
LEARN MORE
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 …
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 …
$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, …
Ten Things To Be Proud of from 2014
This has been a year for which we should all be proud. With sweeping advances at the state and federal levels, the LGBT community in Illinois and nationally have taken great steps to full equality. We at Equality Illinois are honored to work alongside you and our countless community allies to help make this possible. …
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 …
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 …