The ACLU supports an open government that can be questioned and challenged by the general public. This check ensures that government is operating in a manner that is accountable, efficient, and fair. We played an important role in passing the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) in 1986, improving it in 2009, and resisting efforts to weaken it in many other years. We use the Illinois FOIA, and also the federal FOIA, to gather pertinent records from myriad government agencies on innumerable civil liberties issues, and often file lawsuits to enforce our records requests.
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Every American cherishes the civil liberties promised by our Constitution. However, the words alone do not make these rights a reality. We live better lives and are a better country because of the ACLU. 
