Impact Report: June 2025

June 24, 2025

Courage is contagious. Let our collective ACLU courage catalyze the peaceful resistance to Trump, as we invent the hope for a better tomorrow that will inspire others to join the fight.

Letter From Our Executive Director

Americans turned out en masse at more than 2,000 “No Kings” rallies across the country, including more than 40 here in Illinois. As inspiring as their patriotic commitment to the rule of law was their courage in rallying hours after the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the attempted murder of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Several law enforcement agencies warned against attending these public rallies.

Saddened but undaunted, Americans honored these Minnesota officials by rallying under the banner of “No Kings.” The concept of a king – whose word or whim has the force of law – is contrary to the foundational principle of our Constitution that no man is above the law. In short, the rule of law has primacy above any one governmental official. This principle is older than our democracy and stretches back to 1215 when English nobles forced King John to accept limits on his power. Americans understand that the rule of law prevents our society from devolving into a nation where the only thing that matters is power, where might makes right.

Distilled to its essence, the rule of law prevents the government, including the President, from doing awful things to people for arbitrary and capricious reasons. The stakes are high:

  • We know that individual rights are dishonored in countries where the rule of law has disintegrated.
  • Economic rights are not secure without a legal system that enforces basic rights and guards against arbitrary confiscations of personal property by an avaricious ruler.
  • Humanity does not flourish in countries that do not respect the rule of law. When “might makes right,” we see only famine, violence, and the persistence of disease and economic ruin.

In short, the rule of law matters because it protects us all: male, female, non-binary, immigrant, native-born, white or of color, atheist or believer. The rule of law protects us from descending into a dystopia where the President abuses the immense power of the federal government to enrich himself, his family, and the billionaire class – all while threatening those who oppose him with financial ruin, physician violence, imprisonment or banishment.

Many of us have been inspired by the quote, often attributed to French philosopher Albert Camus, that ‘[w]here there is no hope, we must invent it.” The ACLU and its millions of supporters, including thousands in Illinois, is committed to actualizing hope that our democracy will survive. Our litigation, our legislative victories, our mass mobilization, have been one of the catalysts behind a surge of popular and peaceful resistance to the excesses of Trump and his miscreant Administration. Our lawsuits have blocked horrific Executive Orders from going into effect and harming real people. Our state legislative initiatives have protected tens of thousands who need to access health care or need protection against pernicious discrimination. Our mass mobilizations, with our partner organizations, friends and families, have created a sanctuary for freedom.

And, yet there is so much more we must do. We must hold accountable those members of Congress, many from the President’s own party, who condemn Trump’s actions behind closed doors. We must make them see that their venality buys neither safety nor security – Elon Musk was threatened with loss of his federal contracts for crossing Trump. If these members of Congress do not use their power – to pass legislation that benefits Americans beyond the 1%, to pass budgets that fund human needs, to refuse to confirm nominees who lack basic competence, such as Pete Hegseth and Robert Kennedy Jr. – then we, the people, will hold them accountable.

We must tell the truth – to our friends, family, and government officials – about the impact of Trump’s actions on our communities. And, if the legacy news media continues to chase profits not truth, we must re-commit to funding public media, non-profit media, and alternative media.

Courage is contagious. Let our collective ACLU courage catalyze the peaceful resistance to Trump, as we invent the hope for a better tomorrow that will inspire others to join the fight.

Updates on the Fight for Rights and Liberties

Jefferson County Residents Sue to Remove Ten Commandments Monument From Courthouse Lawn

A group of multifaith and non-religious Jefferson County taxpayers and residents filed suit in state court, seeking to remove a nearly seven-foot-tall Ten Commandments monument from the lawn of the Jefferson County Courthouse. Represented by the ACLU of Illinois, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the ACLU National, the plaintiffs assert that the monument violates the Illinois Constitution’s protections for the separation of church and state.

Originally placed in the courthouse lobby last year by Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard, the monument was later moved to the lawn immediately outside the Courthouse entrance. While Bullard claimed that the original display was funded by private donations, the lawsuit alleges that he used public dollars to relocate the monument to its current outdoor location, where it is unavoidable for anyone who enters or passes by the courthouse. One of our country's bedrock principles is that we do not permit the entanglement of religion and government. For more than a century, the ACLU has fought to keep church and state separate. That fight goes on today in Jefferson County, Illinois.

Challenging the Trump Administration’s Federal Bathroom Ban

The ACLU of Illinois – alongside our partners at ACLU National, ACLU-D.C., and Democracy Forward – filed a class action complaint challenging a discriminatory federal policy that prohibits transgender employees from using restrooms and other accommodations aligned with their gender at federal agencies.

We filed the complaint on behalf of LeAnne Withrow, a former staff sergeant, an Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom recipient, and a decorated civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard who has dedicated her career to serving military families. Ms. Withrow came out nearly a decade ago as transgender, but it has not impacted her ability to work or caused any disruptions with her colleagues. After President Trump’s January 20th Executive Order requiring federal employees to use restrooms and other accommodations based on sex assigned at birth, Ms. Withrow was told by her supervisors that she could no longer use the women’s restrooms and other accommodations.

The impact of this Executive Order is far-reaching. It affects thousands of transgender federal employees nationwide—people who are being forced to choose between their personal dignity and their careers. This policy is not just wrong; it is unlawful sex discrimination. We are proud to stand with LeAnne and with all transgender people facing discrimination under this Administration.

Defending Head Start from the Trump Administration’s Attacks

The ACLU of Illinois, alongside a coalition of parents, Head Start providers, and our partners at ACLU National and the ACLU of Washington, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempts to dismantle the Head Start Program. These efforts are seeking to cut current resources and make future funding conditional on eliminating equity-focused practices. Under a series of anti-DEIA executive orders and directives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has gutted Head Start of staff and resources, shuttered half of the program’s Regional offices, delayed critical funding, and issued vague and sweeping bans on DEIA-related activities, threatening consequences if programs fail to follow accordingly.

Our lawsuit asks the courts to declare these efforts to unilaterally dismantle Head Start and alter its basic purpose unlawful and a violation of the separations of powers in our Constitution. The Executive Branch cannot override the decisions and actions of Congress simply by labeling them as “DEIA.” We will not allow the Executive Branch to erase decades of civil rights progress by rewriting laws it doesn’t like, especially when so many families are depending on them.

2025 Legislative Session and Look Ahead

The Spring Legislative Session concluded at the end of May, and the ACLU of Illinois worked on legislation on a range of civil liberties issues in Springfield. During the session, 6,730 bills were filed in the Illinois State Legislature. Of those, the ACLU of Illinois closely tracked 863 bills for their impact on civil liberties and we actively worked on more than 42 bills including proposing amendments, negotiating with stakeholders, and assisting in outreach.

One important piece of legislation that passed the Illinois General Assembly was House Bill 1628 – Improved Data Collection in Civil Asset Forfeiture Cases. House Bill 1628 improves data reporting around the use of civil asset forfeiture (CAF). Civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement to permanently take property or money from someone, even if that person is never arrested or convicted of a crime. Illinois adopted significant reforms to its civil asset forfeiture laws in 2018. HB1628 builds on those improvements by creating a more effective system to collect and report information about civil asset forfeiture cases. We are grateful to our bill sponsors, Representative Will Guzzardi and Senator Omar Aquino, for championing this initiative and we urge Governor Pritzker to sign HB1628 into law as soon as possible.

We will continue our advocacy during the Fall Veto Session and 2026 Legislative Session, including efforts to protect health data privacy and support end of life options for terminally ill patients. We look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly and fighting for the rights of Illinoisians. Thank you for taking action this session!

Chicago “Snap” Curfew Pushback

The Chicago City Council voted in favor of an ordinance that gives the Chicago Police Superintendent the ability to implement a “snap” curfew anywhere across the city with as little as 30 minutes notes. Mayor Brandon Johnson officially vetoed this measure later that week, keeping it from going into effect. The ordinance arose in response to so-called “teen takeovers,” events where large groups of teens gather in parts of the city, especially downtown. The ACLU of Illinois and other civil rights and youth groups spoke out in strong opposition, including by sending a letter raising legal questions about the proposed ordinance. We raised concerns about the constitutionality of an ordinance that does not truly allow anyone – let alone a young person – to be fully informed about where and when the measure is being enforced. The letter also made clear that curfews have never had an impact on crime rates or crimes against youth.

What’s Happening Around the Country

Supreme Court Decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a divided ruling  in U.S. v. Skrmetti that allows Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for youth under eighteen to be enforced. This case was brought to the Supreme Court by three adolescents, their families, and a Memphis-based medical provider. The decision was a narrow one – not only did the decision cover only the Tennessee law, it also did not draw a sex-based (or trans-based) line. The Court’s majority held that the ban was based on age and medical treatment, not sex or gender. 

Although this is a devastating loss for our clients and other families in Tennessee with trans youth, the decision does not affect the legality of other anti-trans laws more generally. So our challenges in other states and the Trump administration’s attacks on trans people – like our lawsuits over the new passport rules or the health care funding ban or health care access for people incarcerated by the federal government – all retain very strong legal arguments even after Skrmetti. And while this decision allows Tennessee’s health care ban to remain in effect, it does not mandate a ban on this care and does not change the law in states where the care remains legal, or whose bans we have overturned in state court.

In Illinois, gender-affirming care for youth and adults is available, legal, and protected. If you or someone you love is currently receiving or needs gender-affirming care in Illinois, it will not be affected by the Supreme Court’s decision.

Trans rights are under attack in many places around the country. In Illinois and nationwide, we are doing everything we can to protect and provide access to this important healthcare.

The First 100 Days and Beyond: The ACLU’s Fight for Our Rights

In the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, we saw a whirlwind of executive orders, policy proposals, and media commentary. The ACLU met these first 100 days head-on, and we aren’t going anywhere. We have been working tirelessly against the administration's attempts to: attack birthright citizenship, target trans people, deport immigrants to foreign prisons, dismantle DEI initiatives, undermine the protections of the First Amendment, and various other efforts to ultimately turn our government, and our country, upside down.

From January 20 to April 30 – the ACLU filed 115 legal actions, including 56 lawsuits. We sought emergency relief in 38 of these cases, winning at least some form of preliminary or temporary order in 27 cases. A few key moments from the first 100 days include:

  • January: We challenged many of Trump’s initial Executive Orders, and several have already been blocked by the courts including ending birthright citizenship, restricting access to gender-affirming health care for people under 19, and banning accurate passports for trans and intersex people.
  • February: We submitted 40 FOIA requests seeking transparency on DOGE’s access to our data, sued to gain access to the people being detained in Guantánamo to provide them with legal assistance, and sued to stop the implementation of a “Dear Colleague” letter threatening to cut schools’ federal funding if they engaged in DEI initiatives.
  • March: We saw several unlawful arrests and detainments of individuals by ICE, in retaliation for their speech in support of Palestinian rights. The National ACLU and state affiliates joined the legal teams of Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Badar Khan Suri, Rümeysa Öztürk, and Mohsen Mahdawi. We also immediately sued when Trump secretly invoked the Alien Enemies Act to set in motion the swift transfer of hundreds of people to a foreign prison without due process or judicial review.
  • April: We sued to stop the banning of books and alteration of curricula in schools on military bases and to prevent the withholding of Title X federal family planning grants to reproductive health care organizations

The number of legal actions has continued to increase since April, and we have seen victories across our issue areas through legal wins, blocking legislation, mobilizing volunteers, and increasing the number of ACLU supporters. Our impact does not stop at the courthouse steps or the halls of Congress and the General Assembly. Every battle becomes a spark for broader organizing, strengthens our shared sense of solidarity, and mobilizes people across the country to come together against government overreach.

This growing engagement includes more than 20,000 volunteers, over 1 million digital actions taken, 35 pro-civil rights and liberties policy actions taken by state and local governments, and more than 170 know your rights events held across the country.

Together, in the courts, in our communities, and in the streets, we will keep fighting to realize the promise of a free and democratic nation—one where the rule of law protects everyone, and no one is above the law.

Additional Resources:

Engaging Together Around the State

GET INVOLVED

Speaking Out Against Abuse of Power

The news has been filled with headline after headline on the efforts from the Trump Administration to use executive orders and unauthorized actions to interrupt and dismantle the basic structures and operations of our federal government.

In response, the ACLU of Illinois has launched new tools to help our supporters speak out against this abuse of power. We have created a webpage with talking points, background information, and resources to help you have effective conversations about the threats we face, from attacks on checks and balances to violations of due process and free speech. We hope you will use these tools to mobilize your community and speak out. Abuse of power thrives in silence – let’s make sure our voices are heard. Explore the resources and take action today: www.aclu-il.org/speakout.

Join the ACLU-IL Community Activator Program

The challenges to civil rights and liberties posed by the current federal government demand bold, collective action. That’s why the ACLU of Illinois recently launched the Community Activator Program – a statewide network of supporters committed to amplifying civil liberties issues and mobilizing their communities.

As an Activator, you’ll receive regular updates on our work across Illinois, timely alerts when action is needed – whether it’s submitting witness slips for pieces of legislation, showing up at protests, or spreading the word about new litigation – and opportunities to build community with others in solidarity. Activators also help bring the ACLU into their communities by raising awareness in ways that work for them. That might include tabling at local events, postering community boards, or hosting ACLU speakers. The program is designed to be flexible and accessible.

If you are interested in becoming a Community Activator, please sign up here. If you're curious but not quite sure, feel free to reach out – we’d love to connect and find the right fit for you. Email us at activator@aclu-il.org. We all have a role to play in the fight for our rights.

Bring a Know Your Rights Presentation to Your Community

The ACLU of Illinois is offering Know Your Rights presentations to communities, organizations, classrooms, and groups across the state. These presentations are free and designed to empower people with the information they need to advocate for themselves or others.

Our team can present on a range of topics, including:

  • Interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Interactions with local law enforcement
  • Protest rights and how to safely exercise them
  • LGBTQ+ rights and protections under Illinois law

Whether you're a community leader, educator, organizer, or just looking to inform your network, we’re here to help. You can request a presentation here: www.aclu-il.org/speaker.

PRIDE

Celebrating Pride – This Month and Every Month

This June, we’ve been excited to celebrate Pride Month with ACLU supporters while continuing our important work to defend civil liberties for all. Here’s a look at what we’ve done so far and what’s coming up:

  • Pride Panel Discussion: “Pride is Still Protest”: Last week we held a powerful panel discussion, “Pride is Still Protest.” This event brought together our community to discuss the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and the ongoing fight for justice. The event featured ACLU-IL Senior Policy Counsel Aisha N. Davis, Deputy Legal Director Michelle García, Board President Jill Metz, Staff Attorney Mason Strand, and Director of Communications and Public Policy Ed Yohnka.
  • Tabling at Morton Grove Pride: On June 13th, ACLU-IL Staff Members Julie Allpow and Mason Strand had the chance to connect directly with supporters at Morton Grove Pride’s annual Pride event. This was a fantastic opportunity to share information about our work and engage with local residents on issues that affect their rights and freedoms. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and showed their support!
  • Chicago Pride Parade: We’re excited to march alongside our partners and supporters at the upcoming 2025 Chicago Pride Parade on June 29th. Together with thousands of advocates, allies, and activists we will celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and advocate for continued progress. We hope to see you at the parade!
  • Chapter and Community Group Activities: In addition to the Chicago Pride Parade, the ACLU of Illinois’ Chapters and Community Groups are participating in Pride Month celebrations in their communities and the annual Pride Fest celebration for our Champaign County Chapter will take place in September!

hands holding up sign with rainbow background and gray text "pride is still protest"

As always, thank you for standing with us and fighting for equality and justice for all. We look forward to continuing the conversation and celebrating with you during the rest of Pride Month!

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025 Supreme Court Term in Review Event

Join the ACLU of Illinois, ACS Chicago Lawyer Chapter, and Mayer Brown for our annual Supreme Court Term in Review event on Thursday, July 31st from 12:00 – 1:30 PM at Mayer Brown and streamed virtually. The event will feature ACLU-IL Legal Director Kevin Fee, ACLU-IL Board Member Aziz Z. Huq, Steve Sanders, Steven D. Schwinn, Michael A. Scodro, and Carolyn Shapiro. We will review some of the major cases from the recent U.S. Supreme Court Term including cases on gender-affirming care, free speech and religious liberty, immigrants’ rights, and more. CLE credit is pending for Illinois Attorneys. Register for the event here.

Peoria Chapter Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner

We encourage you to join the ACLU Illinois Peoria Chapter for their 64th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 26th at 5:30 PM at the Illinois Valley Yacht & Canoe Club (5102 N Galena Rd, Peoria Height). The program will feature former Illinois State Representative Litesa Wallace, who will deliver special remarks on the evening's theme: "Unyielding: Defending Freedom, Advancing Justice." The event will also include the election of officers and directors, the presentation of awards, and a silent auction. Dinner is included with the event ticket. Purchase tickets or tables here!

PREVIOUS EVENTS

No Kings Rally and March

On Saturday, June 14th, the ACLU of Illinois proudly co-sponsored the No Kings Rally and March at Daley Plaza in Chicago. The event was a powerful response to the Trump Administration’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C. and a clear reminder that in America, power belongs to the people, not to any one individual.

Thousands gathered in downtown Chicago to stand up for democracy and speak out against the abuse of executive power. ACLU staff were on site distributing protest signs, sharing Know Your Rights materials, and marching alongside advocates, allies, and supporters committed to defending civil liberties. And, ACLU of Illinois Chapters, Community Groups, and Staff participated in events in Bloomington, Urbana, Rockford, Peoria, Highland Park, Edgewater, and Schamburg. If you attended a rally in Chicago or elsewhere, thank you for showing up and speaking out. We’re proud to be in this movement with you.

Hands holding up blue signs with white text. One sign says "We the people" and one says "free speech, free country"

2025 ACLU Lunch: Fighting for a More Perfect Union

On April 4, 2025, more than 1,500 members of the ACLU of Illinois community gathered in person and virtually to raise funds critical to our work and recommit to the ongoing fight for civil rights and liberties. Thank you to everyone who supported the 2025 ACLU Lunch! We left the event motivated and energized by the words of all our speakers including our keynote speaker, civil rights lawyer and scholar Sherrilyn Ifill. We encourage you to watch the event recording here and please save the date for the 2026 ACLU Lunch which will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026!

Featured Speaker Sherrilyn Ifill standing at the podium to give the keynote speech at the event

Ask the Expert

The ACLU of Illinois, alongside a coalition of parents, Head Start providers, and our partners at ACLU National and the ACLU of Washington, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempts to dismantle the Head Start Program. These efforts are seeking to cut current resources and make future funding conditional on eliminating equity-focused practices. This is part of a broader campaign to roll back diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies across the federal government.

Allison N. Siebeneck (she/her), ACLU of Illinois Senior Supervising Attorney, answered the following questions on our efforts to challenge the Trump administration’s coordinated and unlawful efforts to dismantle the Head Start Program.

Q: What is the Head Start program and why is it important?
A: Created in 1965, Head Start developed out of the Civil Rights Movement and its promise of racial and economic justice, particulary for low-income women and children of color. Since then, Head Start has transformed the lives of more than 40 million children and families nationwide by providing high quality early childhood education services and supporting working parents with access to childcare. The program provides comprehensive services to the most vulnerable families in our communities, supporting children’s emotional, social, health, and educational development. Its federal-to-local model ensures services are tailored to each community’s needs, including providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services. In fact, agencies are legally required to meet the “diverse needs” of their local communities by offering inclusive services and supporting children with disabilities, dual language learners, and children in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Q: What is this specific case about and what are we hoping to achieve?
A: Since taking office, the Trump administration has engaged in coordinated and unlawful efforts to dismantle the Head Start program by slashing staff, delaying access to Congressionally appropriated funds, and imposing vague and sweeping bans on activities related to “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” that block programs from fulfilling their mission to support more than 800,000 young children from low-income families – in short, defying Congress’s mandate to provide inclusive, culturally competent Head Start services nationwide. This strategy has already caused the suspension or termination of Head Start services and will lead to more program closures if it is allowed to continue.

We filed a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of parents and Head Start providers challenging the administration’s implementation of the DOGE and anti-DEIA executive orders. We are asking the court to declare this conduct unlawful and to prevent the Trump administration from realizing the Project 2025 goal of dismantling Head Start by gutting federal staff and resources, delaying or denying funding, and prohibiting core Head Start programming.

Q: Why is this a civil liberties issue?
A: The executive branch cannot simply eliminate by fiat a program that Congress has mandated. The Trump administration’s conduct brazenly violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers – and it does so by targeting one of the most effective federal

ACLU of Illinois Community Spotlight

LeAnne Withrow (she/her)  

headshot of LeAnne Withrow

The ACLU of Illinois – alongside our partners at ACLU National, ACLU-D.C., and Democracy Forward – recently filed a class action complaint challenging President Trump’s Executive Order requiring federal employees to use restrooms and other accommodations based on sex assigned at birth. As a result of the policy, our client LeAnne Withrow was told by her supervisors that she could no longer use the women’s restrooms and other accommodations.

LeAnne Withrow is a Lead Military and Family Readiness Specialist, a civilian federal employee with the Illinois National Guard. She leads a team of 12 to make sure that service members can deploy by providing critical support services to service members, veterans, and their families across Illinois. Before her civil service, LeAnne was a Staff Sergeant and received multiple awards, including the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom.

Q: What are the harms of the Trump administration’s policy on the transgender community?
A: The impact is pretty significant. For me, it limits my ability to do my job. I work in a federal facility and travel to federal facilities across the state to help service members and veterans on some of the worst days of their lives, and I don’t have access to a bathroom. My choice is to use the wrong bathroom where I don’t fit in, which is stressful and significantly disrespectful to me, or be subject to discipline.

Q: Why was it important to you to speak out about this issue?
A: To me, it's always the right time to do the right thing. What you tolerate is what you condone. The army taught me to have integrity, personal courage, and respect. I’m living up to those values and being a role model for my daughter.

Q: What is giving you hope right now when you think about the future of this work?
A: I’m reminded of Dr. King’s saying that the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice. When I look back to life in the 90s for LGBTQ people, how casual discrimination was to the queer community and I look at my time in military, so much has changed. When I joined, “don’t ask, don’t tell” was the policy, then we had marriage equality, and unrestricted service for trans members. When I first came out in the military, some people were so mad, but I have seen the attitude change as LGBTQ people pioneered and proved that we could do this. Even with social setbacks, social progress is still being made. We are in the two steps backward portion, but there will be another step forward if enough good people care.

Q: What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
A: I’m a huge Supernatural fan and I’m rewatching the series. It is nice junk food for the brain. I also write fiction novels under LeAnne Keely, and a new novel is coming out in September!

Kathleen Dingle (she/her) and Violet Johnicker (she/her)

Headshot of Kathleen Dingle and Violet Johnicker

Each of us has a role to play in the ongoing fight for civil rights and liberties and ACLU of Illinois Community Groups and Chapters exist across the state to offer the opportunity to engage in local communities. Hear from two of our Great Rockford Community Group leaders below.

Kathleen is a school psychologist who lives in Rockford with her husband, two young children, and newly adopted puppy. Violet is a pastor in the United Methodist Church who also lives in Rockford with her two young children.

Q: Why is the fight for civil rights and liberties important to you?
A: While we found our way here by different paths, we connected where all busy moms make friends – the daycare parking lot. Over the last three years, our children attended the same daycare, and we attended the same meetings. There are many organizations in Rockford that are working toward equity, inclusion, and justice for all, and we found ourselves collaborating more often on our shared values: Women's health care, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration rights, criminal justice reform, disability advocacy.

Our children play pretend together while we imagine ways to make Rockford a better place for all people. We believe our community is our power, and we must work together to lift up each other.

In November, Kathlen hosted a watch-party on election night, and while the food and crafts were fun, the reality of what we were facing was not. In the weeks after, we brainstormed ways to be proactive about organizing our communities. 

How can we get more people involved? How can we combat misinformation? How can we speak out in a way that actually makes a difference? Violet shared a connection with the ACLU of Illinois, and we began work to host an interest meeting on forming a community group in Rockford. Turns out, there was interest!

Q: Why is it important for people to play an active role in their communities and what is giving you hope right now?
A: The ACLU has provided us with resources to educate more community members about civil rights and liberties. We believe in the motto: "watch nationally, act locally."  Each month our meetings pair a national topic with a local organization; so if you are fired up about something you see on the news, you can learn more about it from a reputable source and find out how to make an impact at home. We have trained people to do court watching, partnered with nonprofits and collected donations for them, and are currently working with other groups to host the Rockford No Kings Rally on Saturday, June 14. We also have had opportunities to speak out in community forums, such as city council meetings and school board meetings. Each small action chips away at the fear we felt back in November. There is still plenty to be worried about, but we find hope in taking action and connecting with others. 

Q: What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
A: Kathleen is currently listening to But Why, A Podcast for Curious Kids, while her own children smash goldfish crackers into the crevices of her minivan. Violet is currently reading “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmer, a book she purchased from Maze Books, an independent, community-driven bookstore in Rockford.

Illinois Head Start Association

The Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) is a non-profit membership organization that was incorporated in 1978 to represent and provide services to all members of the Head Start community and their partners. A volunteer Board of Directors governs the IHSA. The Board is comprised of 20 members including five representatives each from four components—Parents, Staff, Directors, and Friends.

The IHSA’s activities are driven by our mission to mobilize, strengthen, and inspire our membership in the interest of our children, families, staff, and communities. The Association is a member-driven organization and we exist to maximize the resources of our members and ensure that our members thrive in their work with children and families.

Illinois Head Start Association offers its members advocacy & representation, professional development & training, tools & resources, network & visibility, and parent & family engagement.

For more information about the Illinois Head Start Association please visit their website www.ilheadstart.org or follow them on social media: Facebook and Instagram.

Logo of Illinois Head Start Association

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