Alumnus Honored by Equality Illinois for Advocacy and Leadership in LGBTQ+ Community
Kevin Morrison
UIC Law alumnus Kevin Morrison (JD ’24), the youngest and first openly LGBTQ+ Cook County Commissioner, received the 2026 Community Pride Honoree Award from Equality Illinois. The honor recognizes Morrison’s years of work advancing equality, expanding protections and creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities.
Morrison’s advocacy began long before law school. In 2017, he organized what he describes as Chicago’s first transgender rights protest in response to policies targeting the transgender community. Later that year, he successfully ran for the Cook County Board, making history with his election and becoming a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in county government.
Since taking office, Morrison has helped advance numerous initiatives aimed at expanding equity and access. Among his accomplishments, he helped remove anti-transgender language from Cook County code and worked to make gender identity a protected class for more than 5 million residents. He also played a role in establishing annual Pride flag raisings throughout Cook County and increasing LGBTQ+ representation within county government.
Beyond LGBTQ+ advocacy, Morrison has championed a range of initiatives focused on public service and equity. He helped establish Cook County’s Office of Behavioral Health, expanded language access on ballots from four to 12 languages, and supported tenant protections designed to improve access to legal remedies for renters.
Morrison credits his legal education at UIC Law with strengthening his ability to serve the public. As a student in the Part-Time Evening Program, he balanced law school with the demands of elected office. The experience helped him become a more effective public servant by deepening his understanding of the law and its impact on communities.
When asked what Pride means to him, Morrison reflected on the importance of authenticity, acceptance and community.
“Being yourself, living without fear of what makes you unique and what makes you wonderful,” he said. “Using your energy not only to love yourself, but to love everyone around you.”
As he continues his work in public service, Morrison remains focused on expanding opportunity, equity and representation for communities across Illinois.