CHICAGO – The Chicago City Council today voted to confirm Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s nomination of Nancy C. Andrade to serve as Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). Andrade, who brings years of experience with the City as a legal advocate, will oversee operations of the Commission, which has been the task for Acting Commissioner Kenneth Gunn.

“Nancy is an inspired leader who brings a wealth of expertise and an abiding commitment to equity and justice across our city,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Her extensive, direct experience with Chicago’s families and businesses—particularly within our Latinx community—will serve as a powerful asset to CCHR as we continue our broader fight to expand respect and dignity for all Chicagoans.”

In her new role as CCHR Commissioner, Andrade will lead the charge to enforce the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance. The Commission investigates complaints to determine whether discrimination may have occurred and uses its enforcement powers to punish acts of discrimination. Additionally, the CCHR oversees five advisory councils to review existing city-wide programs, recommend policies that serve their target population and act as a liaison between the City and community organizations.

“It is truly an honor to be selected by Mayor Lightfoot and approved by City Council to lead this city’s Commission on Human Relations and join the collective effort to combat the inequities that have long existed in Chicago”, said Nancy Andrade. “This team’s tireless work and fervor for justice has been paramount over the past few years. It is important to build upon those efforts, especially during these uncertain times.”

Prior to joining City government, Andrade spent nearly a decade at the American Bar Association (ABA). While at the ABA, she served in the Office of the President as a Senior Presidential Advisor and prior to that was Director and Lead Counsel to the ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities. Before her work with the ABA, Andrade was an entrepreneur having started Mexifeast Foods, Inc. Her legal experience includes both large firm and public interest law having practiced in the Financial Services and Corporate Divisions at Katten Muchin Rosenman and the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. Her civic and professional affiliations include: appointment to the City of Chicago’s Board of Ethics by Mayor Rahm Emanuel; the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Disability Advisory Board; and a Fellow at the American Bar Foundation.

Andrade is a graduate of The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, and Loyola University Chicago where she received her B.A. in Political Science.

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