April 29, 2011

Bean appointed to civil rights advisory committee

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jonathan Bean, a history professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will join the Illinois State Advisory Committee, one of the 51 state advisory committees relating to the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Bean received his appointment to the committee just a few weeks ago. The state committee assists the federal commission in fact-finding and investigation, and also has responsibility to make information about civil rights available locally.

The commission investigates and reports on such issues as discrimination or denial of rights due to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, as well as topics pertaining to immigration, voting rights, equal protection under the law, and more. State committees report on matters having to do with their own states.

Bean is one of 18 appointed to the state commission. It is not a paid position. Terms are two years with the possibility of reappointment.

Bean said, “I look forward to the work of the committee and am honored that the federal commission selected me for this prestigious and responsible position.”