Amrith Kaur Aakre Becomes Director of EEOC’s Chicago District

Amrith Kaur Aakre has been appointed as the new director of the Chicago District of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), marking a significant milestone in her career. Aakre, who previously served as the legal director for the Sikh Coalition, officially assumed her new role on January 29, 2024.

EEOC Chair, Charlotte A. Burrows, expressed admiration for Aakre’s extensive experience in civil rights work, as well as her ability to creatively solve problems. Burrows stated that she was delighted to have Aakre join the EEOC’s Chicago District, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to advancing equal employment opportunities for all.

In response to her appointment, Aakre expressed deep respect for the EEOC and its mission. She expressed gratitude at being chosen as the Chicago District Director and conveyed her eagerness to work alongside the dedicated members of the Chicago District to combat unlawful employment discrimination in the region.

Aakre also highlighted her desire to engage with various stakeholder groups, civil rights organizations, and employee and employer communities to better understand their needs. She emphasized her determination to lead the Chicago District in creating impactful change.

Prior to joining the EEOC, Aakre led a national civil rights practice specializing in high-impact, systemic litigation. Her focus areas included workplace discrimination, hate crimes, school discrimination, racial profiling, and bias-based policy issues. During her tenure, the Sikh Coalition drafted significant amicus briefs, one of which was cited by the Supreme Court in the recent religious accommodation case, Groff v. DeJoy.

Before her work with the Sikh Coalition, Aakre served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago for over 11 years. During that time, she spearheaded efforts to expand access to restorative justice and rehabilitative courts.

The newly appointed director is actively involved in multiple organizations and committees. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the ACLU of Illinois and the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Chicago. Additionally, she is part of the leadership committee for the American Bar Association‘s Religious Liberty Section. Aakre has received various awards, including the 2022 SABA North America’s Public Interest Achievement Award and the 2017 Asian American Coalition of Chicago’s Community Service award.

In terms of education, Aakre holds dual bachelor’s degrees in applied science and technology engineering, as well as English literature from The George Washington University. She earned her Juris Doctor from The University of Illinois at Chicago Law School.

The Chicago District of the EEOC covers a vast region, encompassing Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North and South Dakota. The district also includes area offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

The EEOC is a federal agency dedicated to preventing and remedying unlawful employment discrimination while promoting equal opportunity. For the latest EEOC news, subscribing to their newsletter is recommended.