CHLP Public Interest Fellow Ken Cavanaugh Named to Windy City Times’ 2026 30 Under 30
Former CHLP summer intern Ken Cavanaugh has been named to the 2026 class of Windy City Times 30 Under 30, which recognizes LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Chicago who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Honorees were celebrated on June 3 at the Chicago History Museum. Published since 1985, the Windy City Times has presented its 30 Under 30 awards for more than two decades.
Ken served as a summer intern with CHLP in 2025. Since then, they have continued their advocacy as a student attorney with the LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and presented at CHLP’s April convening of national Team ATAC partners. In addition to supporting Team ATAC’s efforts to challenge HIV criminalization under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ken contributed to a federal amicus brief in Wilkins v. Hegseth and tracked legislation affecting people engaged in sex work through his work with the Illinois Decrim Coalition. Ken recently graduated from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and will rejoin CHLP in the fall as a post-graduate fellow through the 2026-27 Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowship Program.
“Ken brings a combination of sharp legal analysis, deep curiosity, and genuine commitment to the communities most impacted by criminalization,” said CHLP Staff Attorney Sean McCormick. “During their time with CHLP, Ken quickly became a trusted collaborator and made meaningful contributions to our work. We’re thrilled to see them receive this recognition and look forward to welcoming them back this fall.”
Photos by Joseph Stevens for Windy City Times
