ACLU of Illinois E-News
7.15.05



Crunch Time on Patriot Act Renewal



As we have mentioned to you in recent weeks, the debate over renewal over the most controversial portions of the USA PATRIOT Act is now heating up. In recent days, a number of proposals have been put forward by different committees and members of Congress that would either reform the Patriot Act - or make it permanent. Now is the time for you to make clear to your representative in Congress that we must reform the Patriot Act. If you have not already done so - go to https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=239 and send a free fax to your congressional representatives about this matter. It is time to make your voice heard! Special note: If you are interested in learning more about the Patriot Act and getting an update on events in Washington from an insider, join us for a Town Hall meeting this Sunday, July 17th, with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. The event takes place beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Bremmer Lounge in the Centennial Forum at Loyola University in Chicago. The address is 1125 West Loyola Avenue. We hope to see you there!



Success as ACLU of Illinois Case Leads to End of Pentagon Funding for the Boy Scout Jamboree



In a case brought by the ACLU of Illinois, U.S. District Court Judge Blanche Manning issued an injunction in June that bars the Pentagon from spending millions of dollars to support future Boy Scout Jamborees (the only youth organization event so funded by the Pentagon). The injunction does not cover the Jamboree already scheduled for this Summer. The judge's decision is the most recent action in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois on behalf of religious and community leaders from Chicago who were alarmed at the favored treatment afforded by several governmental entities to the Boy Scouts of America, despite the BSA's religious requirements for participation. You can read more about the case and the plaintiffs' reaction by going to http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/000286.shtml.



Retirement of Justice O'Connor Raises Concerns on Issues



The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups noted that the recent retirement of supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor put in jeopardy many recent hard-won civil liberties battles in which Justice O'Connor provided the crucial "firth vote" on the Supreme Court. To read about some of the issues - and learn how the ACLU will go about determining a position on the nominee to replace Justice O'Connor, please go to http://www.aclu.org/court/court.cfm?ID=18617&c=316.