Mona Noriega has been named a 2026 Community Grand Marshal. A Chicago-born Chicana lesbian and mother of two, Noriega has spent her career advancing civil rights, equity, and justice for LGBTQ+ communities and beyond. She currently serves on the board of Equality Illinois.

Noriega’s career includes opening the Midwest office of Lambda Legal and serving as its Midwest director, as well as work with Windy City Times and Gay Games Chicago 2006. She was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve as chair of the Illinois Commission on Human Rights from 2021 to 2024, and previously was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and retained by Mayor Lori Lightfoot as commissioner and board chair of the City of Chicago’s Commission on Human Relations. Under her leadership, civil rights protections were expanded through Chicago’s anti-discrimination ordinances.

Noriega holds master’s degrees in business and public administration from the University of Illinois Chicago and has received numerous community honors. She was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2002 alongside her wife, Evette Cardona.