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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » August 31, 2005
August 31, 2005 ACLU of Illinois E-News 8.31.05 Patriot Act Fight Moves to Overtime Just before Congress adjourned at the end of July, the House and the Senate approved separate measures to renew the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act set to expire at the end of this calendar year. The ACLU was disappointed with both measures - neither of which fully included reforms that protect innocent persons against unnecessary, intrusive investigations. The House and Senate versions of the bill now move to a Conference committee for reconciliation before a final vote in the weeks ahead. The debate over the USA PATRIOT Act took on new importance last week when the ACLU disclosed that the FBI had used one provision of the Act to demand records from an organization that possesses "a wide array of sensitive information about library patrons." The ACLU is in court this week seeking an order to lift the gag order in the case - so that the public and Congress know about this effort. You can read more about this case at http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18957&c=262. You can still reach out to your member of Congress and urge them to reform the USA PATRIOT Act by going to https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=239. Join us for a special screening of the first episode in the new series The ACLU Freedom Files: Beyond The Patriot Act Join us for a special screening of the first episode in the new series The ACLU Freedom Files: Beyond The Patriot Act. When: Wednesday, September 7, 2005 Where: ACLU of Illinois, 180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2300, 5:00pm - 6:30pm (screening starts at 5:30) RSVP: Admission is free, reservations required. RSVP to K.T. Sullivan 312-201-9740 x 308 or ktsullivan@aclu-il.org This hard-hitting 30-minute program is designed to spark action and reveal how civil liberties affect real people everyday. It features stirring accounts of current cases, as well as well-known actors, activists and comedians. You can read more about the program at www.aclu.tv. The first episode "Beyond The Patriot Act" highlights the importance of this legislation and urges members of Congress to take the time to act sensibly and bring the law back in line with the Constitution by restoring proper checks and balances. Join us for this special screening and find out how you can become active in the ACLU. ACLU Speaks up on the Roberts Nomination After a careful review of the record of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, the American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to the ranking members of the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing "deep concern" over his record. The ACLU issued a 45-page report on the nominee's record, examining his civil rights and civil liberties record. You can read the ACLU's statement and report at http://www.aclu.org/court/court.cfm?ID=18990&c=316. If you are interested in joining with others in the Chicago area concerned about the future of the Supreme Court, you can join a rally next week sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Fair Courts. The event takes place at Chicago's Federal Plaza (Adams & Dearborn Streets) beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6th. ACLU, Other Groups Sue State Over Lack of Options for Developmentally Disabled Fifteen years after Congress enacted the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act and six years after the Supreme Court of the United States held that unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination under the ADA, the ACLU of Illinois and other advocacy groups have sued the State of Illinois to enforce the ADA for persons with developmental disabilities. In late July, nine Illinois residents with developmental disabilities sued Illinois state officials, seeking an order that would require the state to provide services within a smaller community setting, instead of segregating people in large private institutions. The class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Illinois charges that by warehousing persons with developmental disabilities in large institutions, the state deprives them of their fundamental right to pursue meaningful and productive lives. You can read more about the case at http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/000292.shtml. Prominent Human Rights Speaker to Visit Chicago We have learned that Mary Robinson, the first woman president of Ireland and former U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights, will deliver a keynote address at the International Woman Associates' Rising Voices of Woman Memorial Forum in Chicago on Tuesday, September 27th. For more information about the event, call 312/263-1421 or email at iwa@iwachicago.org. |
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