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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING EQUALITY ILLINOIS’ ANNUAL GALA, THE MIDWEST’S LARGEST LGBT FORMAL CELEBRATION
WHEREAS, Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer and questioning transgender (LGBTQ) Illinoisans; and,
WHEREAS, The name was changed to Equality Illinois in 2000, and the organization has grown to become the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQ equality organization; and,
WHEREAS, Equality Illinois envisions a fair and unified Illinois where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or gender expression; and,
WHEREAS, In 2000, Equality Illinois created the Equality Illinois Education Project, their 501(c)(3) arm, to focus on the educational and charitable aspects of the mission.
WHEREAS, The name of the 501(c)(3) was changed to Equality Illinois Institute in 2016 to better reflect our role engaging and educating the public, government and private establishments about equality; and,
WHEREAS, The non-partisan Equality Illinois Political Action Committee was formed to promote candidates for public office who will advocate for and support legislation that advances full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning individuals and families; and,
WHEREAS, each year Equality Illinois hosts a gala to benefit the ongoing LGBTQ civil rights work of Equality Illinois; and,
WHEREAS, on February 3, 2018 more than 1,200 LGBTQ Illinoisans and allies are expected to gather for the Equality Illinois 2018 Gala and the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ formal celebration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commends the work of Equality Illinois for the LGBTQ community of Cook County and wishes it success with its 2018 Gala.
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