CHICAGO – Kevin Fee, a distinguished lawyer with extensive litigation and trial experience in federal and state courts, has been named the new Legal Director for the ACLU of Illinois. Fee, who joined the ACLU of Illinois legal team in 2022 after nearly two decades in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin, LLP, is the permanent replacement for Nusrat Choudhury, who was confirmed to the federal bench in 2023.
“In a moment of existential challenge to civil rights and civil liberties, we are fortunate to have an experienced, accomplished and creative lawyer as part of our efforts to build a firewall of freedom around Illinois, and protect Illinois residents from the mindless, reckless attacks of the Trump Administration,” said Colleen Connell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Illinois. “Kevin’s work as a lawyer in the private sector as well as his accomplishments since coming to work for the ACLU of Illinois make him the right person to be part of our leadership team today.”
“The Trump Administration is attacking the foundations of our civil society. The White House appears intent on undermining the rule of law and using the resources of the federal government to target political enemies, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, women, and people and institutions committed to ideals the current administration doesn’t like.” Mr. Fee said as he becomes the Legal Director. “The ACLU-IL’s response to this challenge must be definitive, sustained and creative. Our history of success provides a foundation for protecting civil rights and civil liberties in our state – in every part of our state. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind; we must help protect the rights and liberties of all people in our state during a time they are under unique threat.”
A graduate of the University of California-Berkeley and Harvard Law School, Mr. Fee was a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley where he worked for nearly 20 years. While at the firm Mr. Fee handled a broad range of civil and criminal litigation and investigations, and served as Trial Counsel to the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board. Mr. Fee also chaired the office’s pro bono committee, working closely with civil rights groups and other public interest organizations. He had his own active pro bono practice, chairing a monthly free legal clinic and litigating numerous impact civil rights cases, including partnering with the ACLU of Illinois on multiple cases over more than a decade.
Since joining the ACLU in 2022, Mr. Fee has worked on a wide range of constitutional issues. Mr. Fee has continued to serve as counsel helping to oversee implementation of the ACLU’s consent decree against the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, and also brought suits challenging conditions at two downstate juvenile pre-trial detention facilities, sites where youth as young as 11-years-old were subjected to solitary confinement in a small cell for 20-24 hours each day without access to adequate mental health services or education. The first suit led to the closure of the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. In addition, he has represented community groups and individuals across Illinois when their First Amendment rights were threatened. For example, he advocated for the owner of the UpRising Bakery—a Lake in the Hills business that provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members and hosted a drag brunch—when local officials attempted to retaliate against the café following a politically-motivated act of vandalism.
Last year, Mr. Fee was named as the first director of the Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project at the ACLU of Illinois.
“Our work at the ACLU of Illinois has never been more critical than it is today. I’m excited to lead our talented, dedicated and experienced legal staff – and partner with the entire team at the organization – to carry on the organization’s legacy.” added Mr. Fee.