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NIJC has a new Chicago address at 111 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604 and a new email domain at @immigrantjustice.org.

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Contact NIJC Communications Director Tara Tidwell Cullen at (312) 833-2967 or by email.

NIJC Human Rights Awards to Honor Monica McWilliams, Loyola University Student Body, AT&T Executive, and Walgreen Co.
 
Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) will honor Monica McWilliams, a leader in human rights and conflict resolution, for her commitment to advancing human rights and women’s leadership in areas affected by conflict.
 
More than 800 leaders from Chicago’s legal, business, civic and nonprofit communities are expected to attend NIJC’s 17th Annual Human Rights Awards on Thursday, June 2, at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Carrie Di Santo of CME Group and Lori Lightfoot of Mayer Brown LLP are co-chairs of the event. Stephen M. Chipman of Grant Thornton LLP and Brett Hart of United Airlines co-chair the event’s Honorary Committee.
 
Monica McWilliams will deliver this year’s keynote address and will receive the Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Award. Ms. McWilliams played a critical role in the Northern Ireland peace negotiations, and co-founded the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, composed of women representing both sides of the conflict. The Coalition ensured that women played a role in the peace negotiations, including in the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement – a major step forward in Northern Ireland’s peace process. Most recently, Ms. McWilliams supported Syrian women as they created the Syrian Women’s Network, a powerful force in promoting the role of women in the conflict resolution and transition process.
 
NIJC also will honor:
 
The Loyola University Chicago Student Body with the Commitment to Change Award for its leadership and commitment to ensure access to opportunity for immigrant students through the establishment of the Magis Scholarship Fund.
 
John “Jay” Reidy, executive director-senior legal counsel for advanced mobility solutions at AT&T Inc., with the Human Rights Practitioner Award for his pro bono work and leadership in protecting immigrant rights.
 
Walgreen Co., with the Human Rights Corporate Award for its commitment to pro bono legal practice and providing free legal clinics for immigrant youth seeking protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
 
NIJC’s Rising Star Award recognizes associate or junior-level attorneys who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to ensuring access to justice for immigrants through their pro bono work with NIJC. This year’s Rising Stars are: Josh Abel, Faegre Baker Daniels; Joanne Caceres, Jones Day; Brandon Crase, Latham & Watkins LLP; Jason Fitterer, Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Michael Gustafson, Sidley Austin LLP; Victoria Jepson, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Tzu-Kai Lo, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP; Samad Pardesi, Ropes & Gray LLP; Molly Wiltshire, Schiff Hardin LLP; and Matthew Wolfe. Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP.
 
For ticket and sponsorship information, visit immigrantjustice.org/HumanRightsAwards or contact Cindy Tapper at ctapper@heartlandalliance.org.