Our district is the heart of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community, and I have always been an outspoken advocate for their rights.
At the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, I was fighting to fund treatments and medications—including protease inhibitors and access to clean syringes. That funding led to a significant drop in transmission rates and ultimately saved lives.
I worked to prevent gender- and sexual identity-based discrimination, secured millions in HIV/AIDS prevention funding, strengthened Illinois’ hate crime laws, protected access to gender-affirming care, modernized inclusive language on birth and marriage certificates, and expanded adoption protections for same-sex couples..
Immediately after Trump was re-elected last year, I reached out to the social service providers in the 6th district because I knew how this movie would play out. It was clear that to protect the most vulnerable among us, they needed our support:
- I learned that if Howard Brown Health could find new capital funding, they’d be able to devote more resources to direct services for LGBTQ+ folks who need their health care. So I fought to get them a $500k capital grant—on top of millions of dollars I had previously secured in recent years.
- I secured new funding for the Center on Halsted to maintain its services and funding for Nourishing Hope.
In 2025, I passed legislation to update Illinois’ property laws with gender-neutral language, ensuring same-sex couples do not face barriers to acquiring or transferring property.
Illinois has some of the strongest legal protections in the country for our LGBTQ+ community, but we cannot rest. The transgender community is under attack by the Trump administration, and I stand ready to fight back.
Awards:
2025: Center on Halsted – Community Spirit Award
2024: LAGBAC, Chicago’s LGBTQIA+ Bar Association – Advocate Award
2023: Health Care Council of Illinois – Legislator of the Year Award
2011: Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association – For Work on Illinois Civil Unions Law
2009: Center On Halsted – Human First Award
2007: AIDSCare – Community Leadership Award
2006: Families and Children’s AIDS Network – Advocacy Award
2006: Gay Games VII – 100 Champions
2005: NAMES Project Foundation, AIDS Memorial Quilt – Hopeful Spirit Award
2004: Equality Illinois – Distinguished Legislature Award
2003: AIDS Foundation of Chicago – Leadership and Vision in the Fight Against AIDS
2003: AIDS Legal Council – Advocate of the Year
2003: Howard Brown – Friend for Life Award
2001: Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame – Inductee as Friend of the Community
2001: Equality Illinois – Distinguished Legislator Award
2000: AIDS Foundation of Chicago – In Recognition of leadership and vision in the fight against AIDS