Protecting Civil Rights When it Matters Most

For more than 55 years, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights has been on the frontlines of the fight for racial justice and civil rights, ensuring that every person—regardless of race, income, or background—has fair access to the ballot box, quality education, fair and affordable housing, and economic opportunity.

Today, our civil rights are under attack. From attempts to dismantle fair housing enforcement, threats to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and attacks on racial equity work, we are witnessing an unprecedented rollback of hard-fought civil rights protections. These attacks disproportionately harm communities of color, low-income individuals, and other historically marginalized groups.

Civil rights are not guaranteed unless we fight for them – it is our responsibility to carry the torch forward from those who came before us.

Why an Emergency Response Fund?

The Emergency Response Fund allows us to act quickly when civil rights are threatened. Whether responding to discriminatory housing policies, fighting for voting rights, or defending community members against racial and economic injustice, your support ensures we have the resources to:

Take Legal Action – Challenge unjust policies and practices rooted in structural racism that continue to harm communities of color and perpetuate systemic inequities.

Support Impacted Communities – Provide direct legal assistance to protect the civil rights of individuals and communities affected by racial discrimination.

Advocate for Stronger Protections – Fight for fairer laws and policies that strengthen civil rights—protecting education access, the right to vote, fair housing, and economic opportunity at the local, state, and regional levels.

Mobilize for Change – Equip grassroots community organizations and coalitions with legal support and knowledge to support them in advancing community-driven goals to build stronger, more resilient communities, to fight against injustices, and to expand opportunity for all.

We Need Your Support

The threats to civil rights are urgent, and we cannot wait to take action. With your support, we can fight back against attacks on fair housing enforcement, voter suppression efforts, and economic injustices that deepen racial disparities.

Every dollar contributed to the Emergency Response Fund strengthens our rapid-response legal advocacy and strengthens our ability to protect the rights of those who are most impacted.