Articles on Human Rights | Illinois State Bar Association

A Brief Summary of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory By Junaid Afeef Human and Civil Rights, October 2024 On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice rendered an advisory opinion concerning the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Comments from the Chair By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, October 2024 A note from the chair.

Illinois Extends Time for Filing Discrimination Claims Under Illinois Human Rights Act from 300 Days to 2 Years By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, October 2024 On August 9, 2024, Governor Pritzker signed into law legislation that extends the deadline to file an administrative charge based upon employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation with the IDHR from 300 days to 2 years. The law will take effect on January 1, 2025.

ISBA Anti-discrimination Provisions Column: How the Civil Rights Provisions Became Part of the 1970 Illinois Constitution By Professor Ann M. Lousin Human and Civil Rights, October 2024 The 1970 Illinois Constitution has been in effect for over a half-century. It is time to reflect on how some of its provisions came to be in the state charter and how they have affected Illinois.

Seventh Circuit Affirms Prior Decision Regarding Gender-Affirming Bathroom Use By Jessica Galanos Diversity Leadership Council, June 2024 In August 2023, the seventh circuit issued its decision in A.C. by M.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, affirming the decisions of two lower courts to preliminarily enjoin two Indiana school districts from enforcing their bathroom policies.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Turns 75 By Junaid “J” Afeef Diversity Leadership Council, June 2024 An overview of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how it may shape human rights in the United States and worldwide in the coming years.

Statement of the ISBA Human and Civil Rights Section Council on the Urgency to Enforce International Humanitarian Law and to Protect Human Rights in Israel and Palestine Human and Civil Rights, February 2024 The ISBA Human and Civil Rights Section Council drafted a statement in support of the human rights of all people around the globe in the wake of conflict.

Statement of the ISBA Human and Civil Rights Section Council on the Urgency to Enforce International Humanitarian Law and to Protect Human Rights in Israel and Palestine International and Immigration Law, February 2024 The ISBA Human and Civil Rights Section Council drafted a statement in support of the human rights of all people around the globe in the wake of conflict.

Seventh Circuit Affirms Prior Decision Regarding Gender-Affirming Bathroom Use By Jessica Galanos Employee Benefits, January 2024 In August 2023, the seventh circuit issued its decision in A.C. by M.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, affirming the decisions of two lower courts to preliminarily enjoin two Indiana school districts from enforcing their bathroom policies.

Seventh Circuit Affirms Prior Decision Regarding Gender-Affirming Bathroom Use By Jessica Galanos Corporate Law Departments, November 2023 In August 2023, the seventh circuit issued its decision in A.C. by M.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, affirming the decisions of two lower courts to preliminarily enjoin two Indiana school districts from enforcing their bathroom policies.

Opening the Books on Closed Meetings By Joe Ranvestel Human and Civil Rights, October 2023 An Illinois high school is being investigated by the Illinois Attorney General's Office after voting against including a controversial book in an English course.

Seventh Circuit Affirms Prior Decision Regarding Gender-Affirming Bathroom Use By Jessica Galanos Human and Civil Rights, October 2023 In August 2023, the seventh circuit issued its decision in A.C. by M.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, affirming the decisions of two lower courts to preliminarily enjoin two Indiana school districts from enforcing their bathroom policies.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Turns 75 By Junaid “J” Afeef Human and Civil Rights, October 2023 An overview of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how it may shape human rights in the United States and worldwide in the coming years.

New Legislation in Illinois Impacting Human Rights By Jill D. Leka Human and Civil Rights, August 2023 Summaries of recent legislation in Illinois that impact human rights.

Illinois Appellate Court Rules Athletic Organizations Are Subject to the Illinois Human Rights Act By Ronald S. Langacker Diversity Leadership Council, June 2023 In a matter of first impression, the appellate court held that youth athletic organizations and sports teams cannot engage in discriminatory actions as defined by the IHRA.

Understanding Source of Income Discrimination By Tex Pasley Young Lawyers Division, May 2023 The Illinois Human Rights Act was recently amended to prohibit “source of income” discrimination in housing.

Human and Civil Rights Hodgepodge By Michael J. Maslanka Human and Civil Rights, December 2022 The human and civil rights set forth in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been raised and considered in several recent statutes and cases.

Illinois Voters Approve Workers’ Rights Amendment By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, December 2022 On Nov. 8, Illinois voters approved the Illinois Constitution Amendment 1, which amends the state constitution to guarantee workers a broad right to collective bargaining.

Resolution on Ukraine Human and Civil Rights, December 2022 The International and Immigration Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association drafted and adopted a resolution on violations of international law in Ukraine. The ISBA General Assembly voted to adopt the resolution at its Midyear Meeting on Dec. 9, 2022.

Illinois Appellate Court Rules Athletic Organizations Are Subject to the Illinois Human Rights Act By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, September 2022 In a matter of first impression, the appellate court held that youth athletic organizations and sports teams cannot engage in discriminatory actions as defined by the IHRA.

Illinois Human Rights Legislation Update By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, September 2022 A summary of new laws passed within the last legislative session in Illinois concerning human and/or civil rights.

Disability Rights on the Global Stage By Abigael Schulz Diversity Leadership Council, June 2022 Disability rights incorporate basic human rights principles that should be integral to all societies. Has the United States failed to protect those rights on the international stage?

Disability Rights on the Global Stage By Abigael Schulz Human and Civil Rights, May 2022 Disability rights incorporate basic human rights principles that should be integral to all societies. Has the United States failed to protect those rights on the international stage?

Resolution of the Human and Civil Rights Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association Human and Civil Rights, May 2022 In response to the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, on March 28 the Human and Civil Rights Section Council adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s actions within Ukraine and expressing support for the Ukrainian people.

‘Technicality Can Bring Fairness’ By Michael J. Maslanka Human and Civil Rights, May 2022 Knowingly or not, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld Article 10 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its recent decision in People v. Moon.

Upcoming CLE: Spring 2022 Illinois Human Rights Update Human and Civil Rights, May 2022 On May 19, 2022, the Human & Civil Rights Section will be presenting a webinar entitled Illinois Human Rights Update: Spring 2022.

Illinois Department of Human Rights Releases Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program By Bhavani Raveendran Elder Law, July 2020 On April 28, 2020, the Illinois Department of Human Rights released its Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program in compliance with the Workplace Transparency Act.

Illinois Department of Human Rights Releases Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program By Bhavani Raveendran Human and Civil Rights, June 2020 On April 28, 2020, the Illinois Department of Human Rights released its Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program in compliance with the Workplace Transparency Act.

USCIS Revised Fee Waiver Requirements Impact on Pathways to Legal Immigration By Bhavani Raveendran International and Immigration Law, April 2020 In October, USCIS announced that it would be removing the means-tested benefit criteria in determining whether an applicant was exempt from filing fees.

Human Rights Section Chair Appointed to Guardianship and Advocacy Commission By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, March 2020 Kathryn Eisenhart, past chair of the Human RIghts Section Council, was recently appointed by Governor Pritzker to be a member of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.

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