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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » December 15, 2003
December 15, 2003 ACLU of Illinois E-News 12.15.03 Speaking Liberty -- The ACLU of Illinois on Post-9/11 Actions The Chicago Tribune recently completed a six-part series discussing the legislation and regulations advanced by the Bush Administration since the terrorst attacks of 9/11. The series, titled Security v. Liberty, both criticized and endorsed some of these actions. Following the final installment from the Tribune on November 23rd, ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell submitted a letter responding to the Tribune's observations. The letter ran in full on December 3rd. In part, Ms. Connell noted that "Defying the courts and scrutinizing people because of their political views subverts our entire system of government, sending a message to young and old alike that our Constitution is not a bulwark of liberty but rather a facade of freedom that the executive branch can manipulate at whim to advance its ideological agenda." ACLU Urges More Changes to DCFS in Illinois More than a decade after the ACLU of Illinois agreed to an historic consent decree to bring changes to Illinois' child welfare agency, the organization continues its advocacy on behalf of the state's most vulnerable population. In early November, U.S. District Court Judge John Grady ordered the DCFS to develop a plan to better assess and deliver necessary mental health care for wards in state custody. That plan was submitted to the court on December 10th and will be further reviewed on February 11, 2004. Protecting Reproductive Freedom to be Subject of Online Chat Are you concerned about the steady erosion of reproductive rights across the nation? If so, you may want to "tune in" to an online chat about reproductive freedom this Wednesday, December 17th, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Central Time. The discussion will feature Louise Melling, Director of the ACLU National Reproductive Freedom Project. It is very likely that the discusion will focus on the recent federal ban on abortion without a health care exemption and plans for the March for Women's Lives scheduled for April 2004 in Washington DC. ACLU to Challenge Horrific School Drug Search in South Carolina If you watch any of the cable news channels, you no doubt have seen the outrageous video showing police in Goose Creek, South Carolina drawing guns and terrorizing students at a local high school in a drug raid that yielded no contraband. On Monday, December 15th, the ACLU will announce the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of 20 of the students who were abused during the raid. The lawsuit will charge school and police officials with violaions of the students' rights to be free from unlawful search and seizure and use of excessive force. The case was the subject of a nationally-syndicated public affairs program, Up Front with Jesse Jackson, on The Urban Word network. ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell appeared on that program. |
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