A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to an action for injury. Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; freedom from involuntary servitude; and the right to equality in public places. Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of their membership in a particular group or class. Statutes have been enacted to prevent discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, previous condition of servitude, physical limitation, national origin, and in some instances sexual preference. Civil rights attorneys handle cases involving the rights of individuals to be free from unequal treatment (or discrimination) based on legally-protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and religion. Civil rights cases can arise in a number of settings -- including employment, housing, lending, and education.
Jerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,984 at the 2000 census, and the population was 8,373 in the 2008 official US Census estimate. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Yvonne Hartmann. Jerseyville is a part of Southern Illinois, the Metro-East region, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.