State of Illinois

06/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/30/2026 12:54

Illinois Human Rights Protections Remain Unchanged Following Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Decision

Illinois Human Rights Protections Remain Unchanged Following Today's U.S. Supreme Court Decision

Today's decision concerns school athletics under federal law, it does not change the protections provided under Illinois law.

Laws & Constitution - Tuesday, June 30, 2026
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CHICAGO-Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court addresses the application of federal law in specific cases involving participation in school athletics. It currently does not change Illinois law or weaken the protections that exist for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals in our state.

Under the Illinois Human Rights Act individuals are protected from unlawful discrimination on the basis of gender identity in areas including employment, housing, public accommodations (including education), financial credit, and other areas covered by state law.

"At the Illinois Department of Human Rights, we recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every person," said IDHR Director Jim Bennett. "Trans people remain fully protected in Illinois. We remain committed to fostering an Illinois where all people-including transgender and nonbinary Illinoisans-are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness and are able to live authentically."

If you believe your rights under Illinois law have been violated, the Department remains available to provide information about your rights and the complaint process.

Illinois' commitment to protecting the civil rights and dignity of every person remains steadfast. Additional guidance from 2025.

About the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in connection with employment opportunities, housing and real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public services and public accommodations, including educational institutions. Any Illinoisan who believes they have been a victim of discrimination can file a charge with IDHR within 2 years of the date of the incident (effective Jan. 1, 2025) or within one year of a housing violation. To file a charge with IDHR, call (877) 236-7703 or 7-1-1 for *TTY users or visit dhr.illinois.gov/filing-a-charge.

To learn more, follow IDHR on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

State of Illinois published this content on June 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 30, 2026 at 18:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]