Legal Council for Health Justice (LCHJ) held its annual Summer Soirée event Aug. 21 at Sidetrack in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood.
The organization presented Illinois Governor JB Pritzker with its highest honor, the James Monroe Smith Founder Award, for his ongoing work to advance health equity and champion LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois.
LCHJ Executive Director Julie Justicz said the LGBTQ+ community has been through hard times before with perseverance and courage and “those same qualities will push us through this moment … particularly the trans community who have been the targets of this administration, we have your back. We are here, and we are not going away and with the support of this room, this Governor, this state, we will get through these times.”
Justicz called Pritzker “one of the most amazing champions that we have in this state” and cited his work to bolster Medicaid coverage and being “a true hero of the LGBTQ community.” She also announced the new venture that they spearheaded with the Illinois state government—Illinois Pride Connect Resource Hub and Legal Hotline.
Retired Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jim Snyder presented Pritzker with his award. He spoke about the time when Pritzker was a young lawyer; people “didn’t have to ask him twice” to assist them during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Snyder said Pritzker’s commitment to social justice causes has never wavered since that time.
“I am so proud to live in a state where people stand up and do the right thing at the right time,” said Pritzker. “Legal Council for Health Justice has been a force for positive change and a lifeline for the most vulnerable communities … You really have saved and transformed countless lives, both here in Illinois and across the entire nation … I’m endlessly grateful for that work and deeply proud to be your partner in that endeavor. Because of our work together Illinois is becoming beacon of hope if we are not already. We are a place of refuge.”
Pritzker reminded everyone that Illinois has fought hard to make health care more affordable and accessible and to protect LGBTQ people and now those things and everything else “we care about” is under attack by the Trump Administration. He said the only way to fight back is to use “every lever at out disposal” and “renew our spirit for the battles ahead because they are still tough.”
Pritzker also outlined the accomplishments his administration has done on behalf of the LGBTQ community and for greater health care access. This includes the new Illinois Pride Connect Resource Hub and Hotline alongside Legal Council for Health Justice and other community partners which Pritzker said is “a first of its kind legal hotline for LGBTQ individuals across the state. Building upon the state’s transgender and gender-diverse wellness and equity project that we launched at the beginning of 2024, we will be the only state in the entire United States that provides free legal advice to protect the LGBTQ community. It will provide resources for health care, education, immigration, social services, family protections and beyond. It will answer frequently asked questions. It will inform individuals of their rights and provide advocacy tools. Together, we are fighting ignorance with information. We are fighting cruelty with compassion.”
LCHJ Programs and Policy Deputy Executive Director Carrie Chapman presented Shriver Center on Poverty Law Health Care Justice Of Counsel Stephanie Altman with the Ann Hilton Fisher Advocate Award.
Chapman said Altman “gives you her best … she never hoards her brilliance for any purpose at all. She is a rare, fierce and funny fighter … and I’m proud to present her with [this] award for her extraordinary leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to advancing justice and equity.”
LCHJ Senior Staff Attorney Taylor Belew presented ACCESS Community Health Network with the Kimball and Karen Anderson Community Award. ACCESS Community Health Network’s CEO Mahomed Ouedraogo accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
Belew said this award is given to “community partners for their exceptional efforts in removing barriers to health for low-income individuals and communities.”
She added that for eight years LCHJ has “partnered to provide free legal services to ACCESS patients … … ACCESS has exemplified what it means to lead with courage, compassion and purpose … Their work has changed lives and strengthen the broader movement for health justice.”
The evening also featured drag queen Derry Queen as the emcee.
