The ACLU exists for the sole purpose of extending the freedoms and rights guaranteed under our Constitution to every individual in this country, including those individuals whose voice would not otherwise be heard.
Women are Not Heifers – Or Any Other Form of Livestock
February 23, 2012 3:39 pm | By Colleen Connell, Executive Director
Some members of the Illinois General Assembly once again are playing politics with women’s health — and threatening our access to contraception and abortion! For the second year in a... Continue reading
Tightening Belts Means Loosening Restraints: Illinois to Close Supermax Prison
February 23, 2012 12:07 pm | By Tanya Greene, ACLU Advocacy and Policy Counsel
One of the more positive things to result from deteriorating state budgets across the nation is that some state lawmakers are looking to smart criminal justice reform as a way... Continue reading
Hands Off Women’s Health!
February 15, 2012 11:50 am | Posted by Maude Carroll
In recent weeks and months we have seen several painful examples of the way in which politics is used to threaten and damage women’s health care – the Komen/Planned Parenthood... Continue reading
ACLU: Standing up for fairness to immigrants in Cook County
February 9, 2012 10:08 am | By Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications and Public Policy
On Thursday, February 9th, the ACLU of Illinois will join with other concerned groups and individuals from across Cook County to oppose bills that would gut a County ordinance that... Continue reading
Protecting Personal Information
February 6, 2012 1:39 pm | Posted by Maude Carroll
Americans increasingly are using online social networks in order to communicate with family and friends, share photos and news and express their own political views. Increasingly, private interests (and government... Continue reading
The Legislative Session Begins with Eavesdropping
January 30, 2012 7:26 pm | Posted by kbennett
On Tuesday, January 31st, the General Assembly reconvenes in Springfield, and the ACLU Legislative team will be hitting the ground running. One of our affirmative initiatives: House Bill 3944 –... Continue reading
Historian Timuel Black’s gift to Chicago
January 23, 2012 10:42 am | Posted by Maude Carroll
Timuel Black is known to wear many hats: historian, civil rights activist, author, scholar, and jazz-enthusiast. He can now add archivist to the list, after having donated more than 250... Continue reading
Unshackling Pregnant Prisoners
December 6, 2011 11:48 am | Posted by Maude Carroll
Melissa was pregnant at the time of her arrest in 2006; she gave birth in shackles. Melissa was in shackles two days prior to giving birth to her son. As... Continue reading
Equip for Equality: “A Place to Call Home”
November 30, 2011 3:51 pm | Posted by Maude Carroll
Equip for Equality, a disability rights group based in Chicago, and partner in the case of Ligas v. Hamos, produced an inspiring and heartwarming short video about the named plaintiffs... Continue reading
Victory for Children
November 15, 2011 1:28 pm | By Colleen Connell, ACLU of Illinois Executive Director
Wonderful news! Foster children in Illinois will continue to be placed in safe, loving homes based on their individual best interests – not the religious tenets of the foster care... Continue reading