Illinois Launches First Statewide LGBTQIA+ Legal Hotline, Resource Hub

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the launch of IL Pride Connect, a pioneering statewide resource hub and legal hotline designed to provide free legal advice and support to LGBTQIA+ individuals across the state. The initiative, led by the Illinois Department of Human Services in collaboration with several community partners and advocacy groups, offers real-time legal information on issues such as name and gender marker changes, housing, education rights, and access to healthcare and public benefits. Supported by a $250,000 state investment and $100,000 in philanthropic funding, IL Pride Connect is the first program of its kind in the nation and aims to empower the LGBTQIA+ community amid increasing legal and policy challenges. The digital resource hub and hotline, which operates Monday through Thursday, were developed with input from LGBTQIA+ leaders to ensure responsiveness to the community's needs. Governor Pritzker emphasized the state's commitment to combating ignorance with information and cruelty with compassion, highlighting the program's role in protecting the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ residents. This initiative marks a significant step in providing accessible legal advocacy and support to a vulnerable population during a period of escalating threats.