Campaign to Pass the
Illinois State Human Rights Bill
for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

The Bill will be reintroduced to the Illinois State Senate
Here's what you can do to help...

Contact your Illinois State Senator NOW!

The nondiscrimination bill will come up for a vote in January. We are very close to having the necessary votes in the senate to add the category sexual orientation and gender identity to the Illinois Human Rights Act. Your help is needed.

1. Please call or fax your state senator. If you don't know who your senator is go to the Vote Smart.org or the State of Illinois website

2. Call the Republican leader of the Senate and urge his support for the Human Rights Bill:
Senator Frank Watson (R-Carlyle)
217-782-5755
217-782-7818 Fax

3. Also call the following Senators:

Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) 815-455-6330, 815-455-8284 Fax
Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) 708-687-9696, 708 687-9801 Fax
Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) 630-969-0990, 708-969-1007 Fax
Sen. Denny Jacobs (D-Moline) 309-797-0001, 309-797-0003 Fax
Sen. Edward Maloney (D-Chicago) 773-881-4180, 773-881-4243 Fax
Sen. James Meeks (D-Calumet City) 708-862-1515, 708-862-4745 Fax
Sen. Louis Viverito (D-Burbank) 708-430-2510, 708-430-2610 Fax

  1. Find out who are your elected officials and how to contact them at
    Vote Smart.org or at the State of Illinois website
  2. Download sample letters and phone messages to your State Senator
  3. Additional resources may be available at Equality Illinois website or by contacting Equality Illinois at 773-244-3371
    or toll-free 888-434-7888

   Senate Bill 3186

  1. Read the text of SB3186
  2. Learn the current status of SB3186
  3. Find out how gender identity is covered in SB3186
  4. Learn the answers to questions that legislators ask about gender identity



The Chicago and Cook County
Gender Identity Amendments Passed in November 2002.
Thank you for your help!

 The Chicago Gender Identity Amendment
passed 11/6/02

 The Cook County Gender Identity Amendment
passed 11/19/02, effective 1/18/03

Dozens of organizations endorsed the amendment
See if your organization is on the list...

 IGA Advocacy Center...
Note: These lobbying materials were prepared for Chicago and Cook County to during the campaign to add gender identity to their nondiscrimination laws. They are posted here to help advocates in other cities and counties with the passage of similar gender identity amendments. Please contact us for inforamtion or advice.

  1. Advocates guide to the gender identity amendment
  2. One page overview of amendment
  3. Excerpts from the amendment
  4. Contact information for Chicago Aldermen
  5. Sample letter and phone messages
  6. Summary of 2002 discrimination report
  7. List of jurisdictions with gender identity nondiscrimination laws
  8. New York Times editorial supporting gender identity law
  9. Mayor Daley supports gender identity amendment
  10. Downloadable letter to Mayor Daley
  11. Write Letters to Mayor Daley and your Alderman
  12. Sign an endorsement of the Amendment
  13. Join with us to lobby your Alderman