Section Newsletters

Articles on Human & Civil Rights

Israel Does Not “Have the Right To Defend Itself” in Occupied Palestinian Territories—It Has the Obligation To Get Out, End the Occupation & Pay Reparations By Michael Alkaraki Human and Civil Rights, October 2025 This article details the politics and legal issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
Sheila Murphy: Cook County’s First Female Presiding Judge and Champion for Restorative Justice By Bob Downs Human and Civil Rights, October 2025 A look at the life of Judge Sheila Murphy, who was awarded the ISBA Elmer Gertz Award by the Human and Civil Rights Section Council. 
Smatterings, a Collection of Short Stories, by Jim Friedlander By Hon. Michael S. Jordan Human and Civil Rights, October 2025 A book review of Smatterings, exploring Jim Friedlander's global adventures throughout his career in short-story form. 
Minority Representation in the Judiciary: What More Needs To Be Done? By Junaid Afeef Bench and Bar, September 2025 A 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. 
Chair’s Column By Jill D. Leka Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 A note from the Chair of the Human and Civil Rights Section Council. 
Marginalized and Minimized: The Growing Divergence Between State and Federal Perspectives on Fundamental Protections of Transgender People By Matthew Davison Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 Learn more about how Illinois is protecting the right to a name change for transgendered persons, despite the federal government's efforts to eliminate this right. 
Minority Representation in the Judiciary: What More Needs To Be Done? By Junaid Afeef Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 A 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 Eliot By Hon. Michael S. Jordan Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 The 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.
Superman, Palestine, Truth, Justice & the American Way: A Call to Humanity, Democracy & Rule of Law From the Man of Steel By Michael Alkaraki Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 This article analyzes the parallels that exist between the 2025 Superman movie and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
What Do We Mean by “Human Rights?” Can We Agree? By Sandra Crawford, J.D. Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 While 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 Officials By Bhavani Raveendran Human and Civil Rights, August 2025 Learn about additional ways that you can contact your representatives or senators to effectuate change. 
A Book Review: The Umbrella Maker’s Son By Hon. Michael S. Jordan Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 Tod 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 Chair By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 A note from the chair regarding recent section council activity.
Dark Times for DEI By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 It’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.
1 comment (Most recent May 1, 2025)
Equal Rights Amendment Update: Where Are We Now? By Cindy G. Buys Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 At 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 Afeef Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 It 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 Law By Junaid Afeef Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 The 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 Chair By Ronald S. Langacker Human and Civil Rights, January 2025 A note from the chair.
An Expeditious and Economical Path to Justice By Judge Brian Weinthal Human and Civil Rights, January 2025 As 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 Hotline By Cindy G. Buys Human and Civil Rights, January 2025 Help Stop Hate is a confidential service that provides support and resources to people and communities affected by hate.
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.

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