Illinois human rights
By Dan Rodriguez Schlorff
Illinois Green Party

The Illinois Green Party is pleased to report that, shortly after Green Pages released its last issue with the article, "Ministers and seminarians lobby for nondiscrimination" (Winter 2004, p. 7), the Illinois general assembly and Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the nondiscrimination bill into law.

Formerly SB2597, the nondiscrimination bill addressed unequal access to employment and housing based on sexual orientation. As a concession, the final form of the bill (SB3186) released employers from any obligation to add sexual orientation to their affirmative action policies.

On Jan. 11, both houses of the Illinois state legislature received and narrowly passed SB3186, which the governor signed 10 days later. The Human Rights Act of Illinois (Public Act 093-1078) now protects queer individuals from discrimination, reading as follows: "To secure for all individuals within Illinois the freedom from discrimination against any individual because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service in connection with employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public accommodations."

To underscore the significance of the Human Rights Act, political action committees, religious groups and concerned individuals unified around the passage of the Nondiscrimination Bill. Lavender Greens of Illinois who had registered as lobbyists with "Protestants for the Common Good" met with a dozen state senators in November who were undecided voters. Three such Lavenders met with Republican Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis, who responded, "I don't believe there are any churches in my district that would support the Nondiscrimination Bill." The political unity of the Lavender Greens with other religious and political groups helped move the bill from the Rules Committee to the senate floor, solidifying a narrow victory of this Green issue. The bill passed with 30 Yeas, 27 Nays. Sen. Geo-Karis cast the only "Present" vote on this most important bill.

The Human Rights Act of Illinois, as amended, will become law effective Jan. 1, 2006.

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