News
Trans Lives and Well-Being Are Under Attack
This Pride, the federal government continues to threaten the health, well-being, and safety of the transgender and gender nonconforming community.
Read MoreHealth Insurance Enrollment for Illinois Kids Declined More Than Double the National Average
A new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows a sharp national decline in children’s health insurance coverage. Illinois experienced one of the largest decreases.
Read MoreMayor-Elect Lightfoot’s Education Transition Committee Survey Responses
The inauguration of Chicago’s new Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, gives us advocates in the disability rights community with an exciting opportunity to help set a new agenda for the city. Legal Council was invited to provide input to the Mayor elect’s education transition team on public education in Chicago, and our policy proposals are detailed below.…
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Reported Regulation Threatens Immigrant Families
On May 3, Reuters reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) drafted a proposed rule that would make it easier to deport U.S. legal permanent residents who use public benefits. Current law does not allow the government to deport someone just for using public programs for which they qualify to receive. While the DOJ has…
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Legal Council Denounces Proposed Noncitizen Rule
On April 17, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a new rule that would restrict immigrants from accessing federal housing assistance. This proposed rule is designed to increase the fear and confusion that immigrant communities endure and pointlessly jeopardizes the housing stability of tens of thousands of families that legally live in…
Read MoreLETTER: Housing Authority of Cook County Voucher Program
As Housing Choice Voucher participants, their advocates, and others committed to fair and equitable access to affordable housing, we urge the Housing Authority of Cook County to include a referral to legal aid on its notice to terminate participants from the Voucher program.
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Advocates Appeal to Illinois Supreme Court on Rights of Nursing Home Residents
March 15, 2019 STATEMENT: Advocates Appeal to Illinois Supreme Court on Rights of Nursing Home Residents On Wednesday, March 13, a coalition of organizations submitted an amicus brief to the Illinois Supreme Court urging the reversal of a 2018 appellate court decision that undermines the process designed to protect the rights of nursing home residents…
Read MoreLETTER TO ISBE: CPS Special Education Update, February 2019
This letter was sent by a special education advocacy group to members of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on the morning of February 26, 2019, prior to a presentation to ISBE members by the ISBE Monitor for Chicago Public Schools’ special education program. Legal Council continues to be an active member of the…
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Federal Court Order Protects Home Nursing Care for Thousands of Illinois Children
Legal Council is pleased to share that we have settled the MA v. Bellock class action lawsuit with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) in favor of more than 1,200 medically complex children who need in-home nursing. The settlement ensures that these children will be assessed fairly and given appropriate notice about…
Read MoreCPS Special Education Issues Survey Results: Fall 2018
This survey examines the current development and implementation of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) special education program.
Read More