Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights

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United States
Chicago, IL
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights

We are civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We identify and disrupt patterns of discrimination.
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We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. We are committed to the unfinished business of our nation’s civil rights movement. Our vision is to root out and dismantle deeply entrenched systems of discrimination, racism, and econ

omic oppression. We believe in the power of the law to uplift and give voice to those individuals, organizations, and communities most impacted by poverty and racial disparity, including racial and ethnic groups, religious minorities, women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. Through longstanding partnerships with member law firms, we provide high quality legal assistance to clients and communities in litigation and transactional matters. We collaborate with community leaders, advocacy organizations, and attorneys to craft and implement community-based solutions and policy reform. We use a broad range of advocacy tools that include direct legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, community education, and coalition building. Our current legal projects focus on education, housing, voting and civic empowerment, public safety, and community economic development.

11/15/2024

Earlier this week, we celebrated our amazing colleague Cliff Helm who served Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights for about 10 years in various areas of our work including housing, economic justice, and most recently as Senior Counsel with our Midwest Voting Rights Program.

Cliff was an incredible asset to our team and is transitioning out to start a new role. We are so excited for Cliff and know that he will continue being of service to communities across Chicago. Thank you for everything, Cliff! Join us in wishing him all the best in his next chapter. ✨

11/13/2024

Today we joined the Unlock Civics coalition and Chicago Votes for an advocacy day in support of the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment (RACE) Act! ✊🏽

In 2019, Illinois enacted Civics in Prison, offering peer-taught civics courses during the final year of an individual’s sentence. SB 3482 relocates these courses to the first year that an individual is incarcerated and would also reinstate the right to vote for individuals in custody within 14 days of conviction.

95% of people in prison return to their communities. We also know that due to disproportionate rates of incarceration of Black, Latinx, and young people, they are disenfranchised at much higher rates.

Passing this bill will make communities safer and strengthen our democracy. The time is now!

11/13/2024

🚨 Join us THIS SATURDAY for a FREE, informative, and engaging session designed to empower small businesses with critical legal knowledge. This event will cover essential legal topics to help you navigate common challenges faced by entrepreneurs, from business law basics to employment practices and intellectual property protection.

Sign up here: https://buff.ly/40j5BaD

11/12/2024

ICYMI: Our director of education equity, Beatriz Diaz-Pollack, and director of communications, Zindy Marquez, co-authored an op-ed published in the Sun-Times last week.

"Access to quality education should not be a privilege for those who can afford it or win it through a competitive system, but a fundamental right."

Read it here: https://buff.ly/4hFOTZb

11/09/2024

Amid a tumultuous election cycle marked by voter disinformation and stigmatization, our team reaffirmed our commitment to providing reliable, nonpartisan information and caring for each voter we encountered.

Read more about our nonpartisan efforts in our 2024 General Election recap here: https://buff.ly/3AyYy2W

11/08/2024

It’s a time of painful questions about the future of civil rights in this country. Our nation still has far to go to fully realize the promise of equity and justice. No matter what policies or changes come our way in this new reality, we will not step back from our mission to protect civil rights and end systemic racism.

Read our full statement here: https://buff.ly/3YWLz4u

11/07/2024

Thank you SO much to all of our non-partisan Election Protection volunteers that helped us answer the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline and serve as poll watchers in the field on ! We wouldn't have been able to serve thousands of voters without your support. Thank you! 👏

11/05/2024

📣 Today is ! Today is your last chance to join your community members in voting for the future you want to see. Text/call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to find your polling location and access other free, nonpartisan resources about how to confidently, safely, and easily.

10/31/2024

What's the scariest part of Halloween?👻For us, it's not having a plan to vote! It is your right to vote free from intimidation or interference. Make sure your voice is heard loud and clear this Election Day 📣Call/text 866-OUR-VOTE if any issues arise or if you have any questions.

10/30/2024

Last night, Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education (RYH) honored both Beatriz Diaz-Pollack and Chris Bridges from our Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights' Education Equity team at their annual "Raise a Glass" fundraiser!

Congratulations, Beatriz and Chris, and thank you, RYH, for honoring our amazing staff! We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing the good work advocating for education equity.

10/29/2024

The election isn't ON November 5. It ends November 5. Voting early is a guaranteed way to make sure your voice is heard loud and clear on the issues you care most about.🗣️ Join us in celebrating Day by casting your vote or requesting an early voting ballot TODAY. Call/text 866-OUR-VOTE or click here to learn more about early voting: https://buff.ly/2QRNXUr

10/29/2024

📣 Election Day is ONE WEEK away! Our Midwest Voting Rights team is working hard leading Election Protection efforts in Illinois and Indiana to ensure that every voter has fair access to the ballot box.

From monitoring polling places, to answering the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, and mitigating real threats of voter disenfranchisement, our team and our community partners are committed to protecting the right to vote.

If you see anything that leaves you feeling uncertain or if you have any questions about voting, call the Election Protection hotline now and through Election Day at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support.

Help us spread the word by sharing the hotline number. Together, we can ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.

10/28/2024

📣 PEER IL spoke at the ISBE Budget Hearing today. We asked for fair funding of EBF, because our students can’t wait for a fully funded education. Read our full written statement and a transcript of our oral testimony here: https://bit.ly/PEERBudgetStatement

10/28/2024

PEER IL spoke at the ISBE Budget Hearing today. 📣

We asked for fair funding of EBF, because our students can’t wait for a fully funded education. Read our full written statement and a transcript of our oral testimony through the link in bio! 🔗

10/23/2024

We kicked off voter protection efforts this past weekend for our community members in pretrial detention at Cook County Jail. Huge thanks to our amazing staff and volunteers who served as poll watchers inside the jail ensuring fair access to the ballot box!

Left to right: Kiana Henley, Allison Keller, Liz Temkin, and Dr. Christina Rivers

10/22/2024

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights is hiring for two positions to join our team! We are seeking a Vice President of Finance and Operations and a Senior Counsel that will primarily work with our Midwest Voting Rights Program.

For more info about these positions and to apply, click here: https://buff.ly/461CVmv

10/18/2024

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights submitted a letter alongside several other non-partisan voting rights advocates opposing Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales' request to verify the citizenship status of nearly 600,000 Indiana voters. This proposed method could violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Read the full release and the advocacy letter here: https://buff.ly/3BN5XMd

Address

100 N La Salle Street
Chicago, IL
60602

Telephone

(312) 630-9744

Website

http://www.clccrul.org/

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Videos

SBP-2402_Chicago Lawyers Commitee_US_General Cutdown Social_16x9_1080p_004_CC.mp4

📣 Election Day is ONE WEEK away! Our Midwest Voting Rights team is working hard leading Election Protection efforts in Illinois and Indiana to ensure that every voter has fair access to the ballot box. From monitoring polling places, to answering the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, and mitigating real threats of voter disenfranchisement, our team and our community partners are committed to protecting the right to vote. If you see anything that leaves you feeling uncertain or if you have any questions about voting, call the Election Protection hotline now and through Election Day at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support. Help us spread the word by sharing the hotline number. Together, we can ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard. #electionprotection #votingrights #866ourvote #generalelection

Our voting rights team has already hit the ground running this election year planning our Election Protection program for the upcoming elections in Illinois and Indiana and presenting at various speaking engagements to help promote the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline that is available for voters now and through Election Day. This year, we will need extra support and more field volunteers to work in the field as poll watchers. More details and sign up link to come very soon! 🗳️ #electionprotection #votingrights

Copy of 2024 BHM.mp4

Today, and every day, we celebrate Black history. Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights remains dedicated to the unfinished business of our nation's civil rights movement. We will not rest until racial equity and economic opportunities are realized for all. #civilrights #blackhistorymonth

Today we held another speaker series event featuring Ami Gandhi, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Midwest Voting Rights Program at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee, on Safeguarding Voting Rights in 2024. We had a full room! Thank you to Mario Robertson and Katten for hosting us and thank you to Kayla Siam, NextGen Leadership Council Member for moderating today’s conversation. If you missed this one, join us for the next one on April 9th! Save the date and more details to come soon. #nextgen #speakerseries #votingrights

Great event last night with @CommonCauseIL and @lwvofil on Combatting Voter Suppression & Election Misinformation & Disinformation. Cliff, Senior Counsel at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee, talked all things Election Protection and the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline that is available to voters now and through Election Day to answer any questions they may have. #electionprotection