ACLU Advances Data Collection Legislation at Hearing



An Illinois House Committee convened a hearing last week to consider future steps the state can take to address the pervasive and insidious problem of racial profiling. The hearing, held by the House Judiciary II - Criminal Law - Committee, followed this summer's release of the first six months of data collected by police agencies across the state about the race and ethnicity of persons subjected to traffic stops. At the hearing, ACLU of Illinois Legal Director Harvey Grossman outlined proposed legislation that would expand the type and amount of data collected by police in Illinois. For example, the legislation would make data collection about traffic stops permanent, and would expand data collected to include recording the ethnicity of persons subjected to pedestrian stops in urban areas. Grossman noted that the General Assembly took a good first step in requiring the recording and reporting of traffic stop data, but noted that more data was necessary if law enforcement personnel are to address more fully the problem of racial profiling. The Springfield hearing, according to legislators present, is only the beginning of a longer discussion on this critical issue. Another hearing is being planned for December in Chicago. If you want to read more about the ACLU's testimony, visit http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/2005/10/legislative_panel_urged_to_tak.shtml.



DNA Collection Under Debate



The advance of science presents a number of challenges for privacy and individual rights. In recent times, for example, a number of persons inside and outside of government have called for expanding the collection of DNA from those convicted of serious crimes to include all persons arrested. In a recent Chicago Tribune column, Steve Chapman advanced the notion that collecting DNA from all arrestees was appropriate because it would assist with detection of crimes. This alluring argument is one that has concerned the ACLU of Illinois, because the collection of DNA on such a low threshold - simply an arrest - threatens individual privacy. In response, the ACLU sent a letter in the Tribune that notes in part that "(p)roponents of creating a massive DNA database attempt to evade this constitutional problem by suggesting that DNA is really only an enhanced fingerprint. DNA is not the modern equivalent of a fingerprint. A fingerprint is used for a single purpose--to identify someone. DNA contains our entire genetic makeup, with information about health issues, susceptibility to particular diseases or conditions as well as information about close family members." You can read the entire letter (an on-line subscription may be required) at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0510290195oct29,1,1768150.story.



Future of the Supreme Court



This morning's announcement that President Bush has appointed U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States is another reminder of the important issues before that Court and raises concerns about its future. With that in mind, we remind you of a special event this week. The ACLU of Illinois Young Advocates are sponsoring a discussion on Civil Liberties and the New Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 2nd, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the law offices of Goldberg Kohn (55 East Monroe, Suite 3700) in Chicago. The panel features a number of experts in the workings and issues before the Supreme Court, including ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell. To RSVP for the program, contact Georgia.wisniewski@goldbergkohn.com.



Have a Thought on Plan B?



Tomorrow is an important deadline, the final day for public comment on Plan B. Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that would already be available without a prescription if not for political meddling by ideologically-driven interests. The DC Legislative Office of the ACLU has created an opportunity for ACLU members and supporters to send a comment to the FDA without ever leaving your desk! If you are interested, go to http://action.aclu.org/planb/index.html.