Voting & Civil Rights

Open book with fist holding scales

Voting & Civil Rights

LGBTQIA+ issues
(4 resources)
Bathroom access in Illinois
Learn about the right to access public bathrooms in Illinois, including Chicago and Cook County.
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Updating sex and gender markers on identification
Answers to common questions about sex and gender markers on identification documents.
FAQ
Rights of LGBTQIA+ people in Illinois
An overview of LGBTQIA+ rights in areas such as employment, housing, education, and family.
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Parental responsibilities or custody in same-sex marriages
A birthing parent's partner can become a child's legal parent, and couples without a birthing parent can adopt a child.
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Voting rights
(4 resources)
Can I vote if I have been convicted of a felony?
Gives information about your voting rights if you have been convicted of a felony. Also explains how to re-establish your voting rights after a felony conviction.
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Voting basics
Explains the right to vote in Illinois and when elections happen.
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Voting by mail basics
Explains absentee ballots if you are not able to vote in the state, getting a mail ballot, and casting a vote by mail.
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What Illinois voters need to know before Election Day 2024
An article about the most important things Illinois voters should know for Election Day 2024.
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Open records
(2 resources)
Freedom of information act or FOIA basics
An overview of The Freedom of Information Act including the state agencies covered, and the information you can or cannot get from the act.
Guide
Submitting a state FOIA request
Learn how to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to a state agency and to appeal the request, if necessary.
How-To
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Reproductive rights
(1 resources)
Abortion law in Illinois
Learn more about abortion and reproduction law in Illinois.
FAQ
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Other rights
(3 resources)
How can I get out of jury duty?
Explains situations when you can be excused from jury duty or be deferred to a later date.
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My right to free speech and protest
Resources that discuss encounters with police and your rights while demonstrating
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Legal information for Native Americans
A list of government agencies and other resources for Native Americans looking for legal help and information.
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