Chicago, Ill. — May 25th 2023 — Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance ensuring the protection of all individual's right to their own bodily autonomy.
The ordinance-amendment adds protections against discrimination in both employment and housing for those who exercise their bodily autonomy as it applies to reproductive health and gender-affirming care in Cook County's Human Rights Ordinance. It also updates definitions pertaining to sexual orientation, gender identity, unlawful discrimination, bodily autonomy, reproductive health care, and gender-affirming care, bringing them in line with our understanding of gender outside of a binary. The amendment creates protections around accessing information about an individual's decision to exercise their bodily autonomy without informed, written consent.
"I believe in an inclusive and welcoming Cook County. Despite attacks on reproductive freedoms and transgender rights across the country, Cook County continues to be a beacon of hope," Commissioner Kevin Morrison said. "Through this legislation, we make it known loud and clear that Cook County welcomes all who exercise their right to their own bodily autonomy, whether that be to receive gender affirming care or in making their own reproductive healthcare choices. This ordinance also validates trans lives and takes a critical step toward ensuring Cook County's LGBTQ community feels safe and protected."
"LGBTQ+ rights are rooted in the right to privacy, bodily autonomy, and the liberty to be ourselves and build our own families without discrimination and criminalization. That is what is fundamentally at stake here." Said Equality Illinois Director of Public Policy Mike Ziri. "The Bodily Autonomy Non-Discrimination Ordinance-Amendment is key to ensuring Cook County remains welcoming and affirming for all residents and all visitors, including individuals who provide or seek reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming healthcare. We thank Commissioner Morrison and the Cook County Board for taking this important action today with this legislation."
The Ordinance-Amendment is now in full affect, following adoption by the Cook County Board.