Illinois HB 1312 Amends Public Higher Education Act, Requires Procedures of Public UniversitiesBy Jessica Galanos & Heather ClingermanHuman and Civil Rights, April 2026On December 9, 2025, the Illinois Public Higher Education Act was amended to include a new section titled, “Immigration Status and Immigration Enforcement," requiring all public colleges and universities in Illinois to take three actions by January 1, 2026: (1) develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests to enter a school’s campus; (2) post immigration enforcement resources to the school’s primary website; and (3) adopt procedures to determine if an immigration enforcement activity is occurring or has occurred on the campus.
Upcoming CLE: Defending Democracy and Safeguarding the Rule of LawBy Junaid M. AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2026The 2026 Rule of Law Symposium, Defending Democracy: Protecting the Rule of Law, will be hosted on May 8, 2026, in Chicago, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This program will feature sitting and retired judges, legal scholars, civil rights advocates, nonprofit attorneys, and private practitioners. Register today!
ISBA General Assembly Adopts Resolutions To Protect Noncitizens’ Constitutional RightsBy Cindy G. BuysHuman and Civil Rights, February 2026At the ISBA Midyear Meeting in December 2025, the International and Immigration Law Section Council sponsored, and the General Assembly adopted, a resolution in support of certain actions taken by the American Bar Association (ABA) to protect the constitutional rights of noncitizens in the United States.
Judicial Mentoring and the Future of the Illinois Bench: Building Transparent, Equitable, and Merit-Based Pathways to Judicial ServiceBy Junaid M. AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, February 2026Attorney mentoring is long recognized as a valuable resource for aspiring attorneys or young attorneys; however, judicial mentoring is often overlooked. Judicial mentoring is not a luxury; it is an institutional necessity. In an era of declining public trust and increasing complexity in adjudication, Illinois cannot rely on informal pipelines and inherited privilege to staff its courts.
Letter From the ChairBy Jill D. LekaHuman and Civil Rights, February 2026A note from the Chair of the Human & Civil Rights Section Council, reflecting on current events.
Minority Representation in the Judiciary: What More Needs To Be Done?By Junaid AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025A discussion of increasing diversity in the judiciary, including how far we've come, the progress that still needs to be made, and a few potential solutions.
Silas Marner, a Novel, by George EliotBy Hon. Michael S. JordanHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025The article discusses Silas Marner by George Eliot, who wrote under a male pseudonym due to gender biases in her time. The story follows Silas, a reclusive weaver betrayed by his community, who finds redemption and love after adopting a lost child, Eppie. The novel explores themes of class, religion, judgment, and human connection. The author of this article reflects on its deeper value when read later in life.
What Do We Mean by “Human Rights?” Can We Agree?By Sandra Crawford, J.D.Human and Civil Rights, August 2025While there may not be a universal definition of "human rights," this article explores the origins of human rights and how everyone's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of security of person must be protected.
Why I Will Keep Trying To Contact Public OfficialsBy Bhavani RaveendranHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025Learn about additional ways that you can contact your representatives or senators to effectuate change.
A Book Review: The Umbrella Maker’s SonBy Hon. Michael S. JordanHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025Tod Lending has a winner, scoring a touchdown-homerun combo in his premier effort. He crafts a riveting account, masterfully developing multiple characters in this account of events shortly before and during the years after Hitler’s forces attacked Poland. We follow two Jewish Polish families through these trying times seeing many heroic acts of bravery when faced with sadistic acts of evil on the part of Nazis and their sympathizers. There is a constant battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, the brave and the self-serving. We meet characters who risk their own lives to hide, house, support, and save others and meet others willing to inform and support the monsters stealing humanity at every turn.
Comments from the ChairBy Ronald S. LangackerHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025A note from the chair regarding recent section council activity.
Dark Times for DEIBy Ronald S. LangackerHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025It’s important that entities and individuals who support DEI initiatives continue to do so, and not immediately be pressured into dropping these initiatives simply because it’s no longer convenient.
Equal Rights Amendment Update: Where Are We Now?By Cindy G. BuysHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025At its Annual Meeting in Chicago in July 2024, the American Bar Association adopted a resolution recognizing the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because it satisfies all requirements of Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The ABA did so with support of the ISBA. The ABA Resolution rejects the argument that the ratifications are time barred because the time bar is not part of Article V of the Constitution and because it was contained in the text of a congressional resolution and not in the language of the amendment itself.
Is Free Speech for Everyone in America?By Junaid AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025It sounds like a rhetorical question; of course, it is. Right? For decades, flag burning, hate group marches, vile protests at servicemembers’ funerals,and more were deemed protected under the First Amendment. The idea was to ensure all political speech remains uncensored; to do so, we must tolerate polarizing, offensive, or even hateful speech. Although noncitizens enjoy First Amendment protections, the government's plenary authority over immigration allows it to penalize them in ways that effectively chills free speech.
What a Difference a Word Can Make: Understanding the Rule of LawBy Junaid AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025The rule of law ensures that legal frameworks are applied equally, uphold fundamental rights, and constrain government power. It “describes a political ideal in which the executive arm of the state exercises coercive power against individuals only when this is authorized by settled principles of law.” In contrast, rule by law describes a system where laws exist primarily as tools of the state to exert control, often benefiting the ruling elite rather than protecting citizens. Rule by law allows for arbitrary governance, where the law is selectively applied to maintain power rather than to ensure justice.
Comments from the ChairBy Ronald S. LangackerHuman and Civil Rights, January 2025A note from the chair.
An Expeditious and Economical Path to JusticeBy Judge Brian WeinthalHuman and Civil Rights, January 2025As the result of statutory changes that took effect on January 1, 2025, the Illinois Human Rights Act now provides up to two years for individuals to assert allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation in connection with purported civil rights violations. In addition, the Human Rights Act now prohibits unlawful discrimination against individuals on the basis of “reproductive health decisions” and “family responsibilities.” Attorneys seeking to file civil rights lawsuits under the newly-amended law in 2025 should strongly consider bringing their claims before the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
New Help Stop Hate HotlineBy Cindy G. BuysHuman and Civil Rights, January 2025Help Stop Hate is a confidential service that provides support and resources to people and communities affected by hate.
