Cary Martin Shelby, the Ralph Brill Endowed Chair at Chicago-Kent College of Law, has been appointed to the Illinois Advisory Committee for the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This appointment allows her to contribute to civil rights policy discussions and enforcement.
Shelby expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I think it’s exciting to have this opportunity. As a lifelong Chicagoan, I think that this work is incredibly important.”
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was established under the 1957 Civil Rights Act as an independent federal agency aimed at informing national civil rights policy and improving policy enforcement. It operates through 56 advisory committees across states and territories that investigate civil rights issues within their regions.
Shelby highlighted her admiration for the committee's previous work: “I was impressed by their past reports on exploring barriers to higher education for underrepresented groups. They also published a report on fair housing in Illinois.”
With expertise in race and systemic risk research, Shelby is eager to align her academic pursuits with the committee’s future projects. She stated, “It’s a great opportunity for me to lend my expertise within the areas of racial justice and financial stability.”
The newly formed commission began its term in March 2025 and will soon select a research project. Shelby anticipates that whatever path they choose will benefit both Illinois residents and her own research interests.
She noted, “I have explored the ways in which racism threatens financial stability and contributes to financial crises in ways that should be recognized by regulators.” Her aim is to address civil rights gaps as part of her ongoing academic work.