Since it’s founding in 1920, the ACLU has held steadfast to the singularly important goal of holding America and American lawmakers accountable to the values set forth in our US Constitution. 
ACLU of Illinois, medical groups ask court to protect vulnerable teens from “unfortunate” legislation
January 20, 2011 5:28 pm | Posted by Allie Carter
On January 18th, the ACLU of Illinois Reproductive Rights Project and a bevy of professional medical organizations joined together to ask the Illinois Court of Appeals to strike down the Illinois Parental Notification Act of 1995.
Act Now! Push Death Penalty Repeal in Illinois Past the Finish Line
January 20, 2011 10:52 am | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications & Public Policy
Randy Steidl is one of 20 men who’ve been exonerated and released from Illinois’ death row in recent years. Last Tuesday, he and I sat just a few feet apart... Continue reading
Download the Brief
January 19, 2011 6:22 pm | By Allie Carter, Senior Field Manager
The latest copy of the Illinois Brief, the ACLU of Illinois’ quarterly newsletter, is available for download. This issue covers important current issues like civil unions, repeal of the death... Continue reading
Finally… Illinois Death Penalty Repeal Awaits Gov. Quinn’s Signature
January 13, 2011 9:25 am | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications & Public Policy
Cross-posted at the Blog of Rights On Tuesday, January 11, the Illinois Senate acted to address a national embarrassment for the state — our failed death penalty system. By a... Continue reading
Breaking: Victory! Illinois Senate Votes to End the Death Penalty
January 11, 2011 3:05 pm | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications & Public Policy
Springfield, IL – Just a few minutes ago, the Illinois Senate approved Senate Bill 3539 — ending the broken death penalty system in Illinois. With the earlier House action approving... Continue reading
A “Near-Death Experience” for Death Penalty Abolition in Illinois
January 10, 2011 10:42 am | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications & Public Policy
On Thursday afternoon, the Illinois House of Representatives was a raucous place — with talk of a deal on a tax increase, Medicaid reform and proposed budget cuts all sweeping... Continue reading
Breaking: House votes to end Illinois’ broken death penalty system
January 7, 2011 3:15 pm | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications & Public Policy
January 6, 2010 6:40 p.m. – Springfield, IL – Just a few minutes ago, after an initial vote failed, the Illinois House voted to end Illinois’ expensive, broken death penalty... Continue reading
What You Should Know About Illinois’ (Soon-to-Be) New Civil Union Law
December 14, 2010 4:48 pm | By Allie Carter, Senior Field Manager
On December 1st, 2010, the Illinois Senate approved the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, after the Illinois House’s approval the previous day. Once the Governor signs that... Continue reading
ACLU of Illinois weighs in on Ten Commandments controversy
December 6, 2010 3:49 pm | Posted by Allie Carter
A proposal by members of the Saline County Board to post a plaque with the Ten Commandments on the property of the County Courthouse recently drew a sharp objection from... Continue reading
The Road Behind, the Road Ahead for LGBT Equality in Illinois
December 2, 2010 7:22 pm | By Allie Carter, Senior Field Manager
This week, Illinois changed the course of history. By a vote of 32-24, the Illinois Senate approved the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which will extend important... Continue reading