Bernard Cherkasov is the Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois. 

Bernard Cherkasov is an attorney by training.  His experience includes negotiating with governmental authorities and elected officials on behalf of public corporations, arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, as well as assisting a wide range of clients with their legal needs.  Prior to that, Bernard served at the Supreme Court of Israel as the International Law Clerk to Chief Justice Aharon Barak.

Bernard also brings public policy and advocacy experience to Equality Illinois.  He had planned political advocacy and engagement strategies for Jewish community organizations in Washington, DC, analyzed hates crimes response effectiveness for the Anti-Defamation League, and participated in the strategic messaging and communications group at the American Civil Liberties Union's National Office.

Bernard is also deeply involved in his community.  Currently, he served on the Board of Directors of AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, where he had been twice elected President.  While living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bernard was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the City’s CDBG Executive Committee.  He is admitted to the bars of the Supreme Court of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Illinois.

Bernard has been honored with the Belfield Bates Award for public service, the Spitzer Fellowship in Public Policy, and the Public Interest Service Fellowship. 

Bernard earned his Juris Doctorate from University of Michigan and his Master's degree, with the focus on the relationship of public policy, theology and law, from Harvard University.