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Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 (initially, as “Illinois Federation for Human Rights”) to secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout Illinois. In 2000, we created the Equality Illinois Education Project, our 501(c) (3) arm, to focus on the educational and charitable aspects of the mission.

Both Equality Illinois and the Equality Illinois Education Project have made great strides in pursuit of our mission:

Secured passage of legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – making Illinois among the early states to include both categories

Educated and informed the citizens of Illinois to raise awareness of issue confronting LGBT individuals in the community and the workplace

Registered thousands of new Illinois voters, and developed a strong network of over 19,000 human rights supporters throughout the state

Expanded statewide grassroots support for LGBT issues and initiatives, both on our own and in partnership with faith-based and other community organizations.

Targeted information and services to populations that have been disenfranchised, especially women, people of color, and youth.

Assisted businesses in developing non-discrimination policies and same-sex partner benefits for employees.

Conducted polls and surveys of public attitudes on civil rights issues.

Worked to educate the media and encourage public discussion of LGBT equality issues.

Among its most prominent accomplishments, Equality Illinois achieved a benchmark victory with the passage of an amendment adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Illinois Human Rights Act, signed into law in 2005 and passage of Safe Schools legislation in 2010.