Policy Initiatives at Chicago House

 

Since 1985, Chicago House has supported individuals and families who are impacted by HIV/AIDS throughout the city of Chicago. Providing services directly to vulnerable populations allows us to more deeply understand our client’s overall needs, everyday barriers they face, and legal issues that continue to disproportionately impact these communities.

Under the Chicago House TransLife Care Program lives a robust TransLegal Program that not only provides direct legal service to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people, but also advocates for policy changes that impact TGNC people in Chicago, Cook County, and the state of Illinois. Legal Director Elizabeth Ricks works on behalf of Chicago House in coalitions and collaborations with organizations such as ACLU of Illinois, Transformative Justice Law Project, and Equality Illinois.

Recognizing the connection between the services we provide and the legal barriers so many Chicago House clients face, the TransLegal team has been engaged in policy efforts as part of coalitions, such as the Illinois HIV Action Alliance, for a number of years. The agency’s policy initiatives are grounded in transgender and gender expansive client experiences, and directly connected to the work of our TransLegal Program.

Chicago House policy initiatives for the upcoming term include:

  • HB2542 – Name Change Modernization – Learn more

    • This bill repeals or amends restrictions on legal name changes related to criminal records, and repeals or amends procedural provisions to increase efficiency in the process

  • SB655 – HIV Decriminalization – Learn more

    • As part of the Illinois HIV Action Alliance, this bill repeals the Illinois law that creates the offense of criminal HIV transmission

  • SB2321 – Marriage Certificate Name Change – Learn more

    • This bill allows an individual to update their marriage certificate following a legal name change

Take Action

Interested in wanting to know more about Chicago House’s policy initiatives? Want to volunteer? Complete the form below and let us know!

 
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