Section Newsletters

Articles From Ronald S. Langacker

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.
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.
Right to Bargain v. Right to Work: Workers’ Rights Constitutional Amendment on the Illinois November Ballot By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, October 2022 In the 2022 November general election, voters in Illinois will be called upon to decide whether a proposed Amendment 1—referred to as the Workers' Rights Amendment—should become part of the Illinois Constitution.
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.
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Transgender Individuals Are Protected Under the IHRA By Ronald S. Langacker Diversity Leadership Council, June 2022 The appellate court recently found that Hobby Lobby discriminated against employee Meggan Sommerville on the basis of her gender identity by denying access to the women’s restroom throughout her employment in Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. v. Sommerville.
ISBA Rural Practice Initiative Expands Legal Representation in Rural Illinois Counties By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, February 2022 The ISBA is working to address the problem of the shortage of attorneys in rural areas of Illinois through its Rural Practice Fellowship Program.
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Transgender Individuals Are Protected Under the IHRA By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, November 2021 The appellate court recently found that Hobby Lobby discriminated against employee Meggan Sommerville on the basis of her gender identity by denying access to the women’s restroom throughout her employment in Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. v. Sommerville.
Profiles of Human and Civil Rights Section Council Members By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, November 2021 A spotlight on Alix Armstead, a new member of the Human and Civil Rights Section Council.
Illinois Criminal Justice Reform Bill By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, March 2021 In January, the Illinois Legislature passed a sweeping criminal justice package that resulted in dramatic changes in police discipline, standards of conduct, and more.
$5.2 Million Dollar Verdict Awarded in Civil Rights Case By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, March 2020 A summary of Wrice v. Byrne, in which the jury awarded awarded $4 million in general damages against the city of Chicago, and $600,000 each in punitive damages against two police officers involved.
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.  
New Legislation Advances Human Rights in Illinois By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, September 2019 During an era where individual human rights are under siege on a national level, the state of Illinois has enacted significant legislation to not only protect existing human rights, but also to enhance them.
ConTextos provides creative outlet for pre-trial detainees By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, March 2019 One of the objectives of the human rights movement is to reinforce that every individual deserves protections, while concurrently finding a way to balance the individual’s needs against the needs of a criminal justice system that protects society at large.
Timbs v. Indiana: U.S. Supreme Court rules unanimously it’s unconstitutional for states to impose excessive fines By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, March 2019 Civil forfeiture clauses are common in many states, which sometimes rely on them as a revenue stream for local police departments. However, this creates an incentive for law enforcement to selectively make arrests based upon the potential funding. Timbs v. Indiana puts an effective end to this practice.
Cases to watch By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, December 2018 Nielsen v. Preap challenged the government’s interpretation of a 1996 mandatory detention law requiring that non-citizens be detained for the duration of their deportation proceedings—without a hearing—because they have criminal records.
Recent amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, October 2018 An overview of amendments made to the Illinois Human Rights Act, which will help to streamline the charge filing process and provide more avenues through which to seek remedies for discrimination.

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