The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations supports HB 1826, The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act

The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues delivered the following
letter to State Rep. Greg Harris in support of HB 1826, The Illinois
Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, and sent a followup
copy to his office today.

The Council hopes you will consider printing this as a letter to the
editor or news item.

Copies of the letter in Word format and PDF format are attached.


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April 18, 2007


State Rep. Gregory S. Harris
Illinois House of Representatives
1967 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613-1022


Dear Rep. Harris:

As members of the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations'
Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, we support
HB1826, The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act.
This legislation would grant both opposite- and same-sex couples in
Illinois most of the rights currently afforded by marriage and we are
proud to support it.

The mission of the Advisory Council on LGBT Issues is to address
discrimination faced by Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
communities and to offer remedies to such discrimination. HB1826 helps
address inequities under Illinois law that have a negative impact on
same-sex couples in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.

Passage of HB1826 would be an important first step towards securing
access to full equality for same-sex couples in Illinois. Please add our
Council to the growing list of organizations, agencies and individuals
who have endorsed HB1826.

If we can be of further assistance in efforts to secure passage of
HB1826, please do not hesitate to contact our director, Bill Greaves, at
312-744-7911.

Respectfully,

Katherine Ast
Robert Castillo
Gary Chichester
William B. Kelley
Elizabeth A. Kelly
Damon K. Marquis
Deborah Mell
John Pennycuff
Laura Rissover
Lourdes Rodriguez
Cathy Sikora
Adrian Williams

members, City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory
Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues