2025 Articles

A Book Review: The Umbrella Maker’s Son By Hon. Michael S. Jordan 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.

Chair’s Column By Jill D. Leka August 2025 A note from the Chair of the Human and Civil Rights Section Council.

Comments from the Chair By Ronald S. Langacker April 2025 A note from the chair regarding recent section council activity.

Comments from the Chair By Ronald S. Langacker January 2025 A note from the chair.

Dark Times for DEI By Ronald S. Langacker 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 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.

An Expeditious and Economical Path to Justice By Judge Brian Weinthal 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.

Is Free Speech for Everyone in America? By Junaid Afeef 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.

ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference Photos October 2025 The Illinois State Bar Association hosted the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference: The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI on September 25–26 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville, IL.

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 October 2025 This article details the politics and legal issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Marginalized and Minimized: The Growing Divergence Between State and Federal Perspectives on Fundamental Protections of Transgender People By Matthew Davison 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 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.

New Help Stop Hate Hotline By Cindy G. Buys January 2025 Help Stop Hate is a confidential service that provides support and resources to people and communities affected by hate.

Sheila Murphy: Cook County’s First Female Presiding Judge and Champion for Restorative Justice By Bob Downs 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.

Silas Marner, a Novel, by George Eliot By Hon. Michael S. Jordan 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.

Smatterings, a Collection of Short Stories, by Jim Friedlander By Hon. Michael S. Jordan October 2025 A book review of Smatterings, exploring Jim Friedlander's global adventures throughout his career in short-story form.

Superman, Palestine, Truth, Justice & the American Way: A Call to Humanity, Democracy & Rule of Law From the Man of Steel By Michael Alkaraki August 2025 This article analyzes the parallels that exist between the 2025 Superman movie and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What a Difference a Word Can Make: Understanding the Rule of Law By Junaid Afeef 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.

What Do We Mean by “Human Rights?” Can We Agree? By Sandra Crawford, J.D. 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 August 2025 Learn about additional ways that you can contact your representatives or senators to effectuate change.