Juvenile Detention Center Case Still in the News

The ACLU of Illinois challenge to conditions at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center returns to federal court this week - but it still has not been out of the headlines in local newspapers. On Tuesday, February 14, a Chicago Tribune editorial suggested that Cook County must respond to the claims of the ACLU of Illinois about conditions at the facility that place children at the JTDC (one of the nation's largest juvenile detention center) at risk of physical abuse and illness. You can read the Tribune editorial (log in required) by clicking http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0602140267feb14,0,796532.story?coll=chi-newsopinion-hed. We will continue to keep you posted about developments in this critical case.



Reported Patriot Act Deal Still Flawed

The saga of the USA Patriot Act continues. In late January, Congress acted to extend the provisions of the Patriot Act until March 10, 2006 to allow more time for debate and negotiations over controversial provisions. On Feb. 9, 2006, however, a deal between the White House and key lawmakers was announced to reauthorize the Patriot Act. Unfortunately, the proposed changes to the conference report do not cure the Patriot Act's most fundamental flaws. The new reauthorization bill would make explicit the right to counsel and the right to challenge an order for any "tangible thing" sought in an intelligence investigation, but it does not correct the underlying standard for issuing orders under Section 215 of the Patriot Act to require the records be about a suspected foreign terrorist or on an American conspiring with a target of a terrorism investigation. The ACLU believes that modest but meaningful reforms must be made to the Patriot Act to better protect our freedom and privacy. Regardless of what happens with this new agreement, commonsense changes must be made to bring the law in line with the Constitution. The ACLU and its allies will continue to insist on the restoration of the rule of law and the protection of our fundamental freedoms. The Patriot Act debate is not over - far from it. We will continue to work for its reform until it is reformed. America can, and must, be both safe and free.



Forced DNA Testing of All Arrestees in Illinois Moves Forward

Last time we reported to you concerning House Bill 4607, a measure that requires law enforcement agencies to collect a DNA sample from all persons arrested for felonies in the State of Illinois, greatly expanding the current mandate that DNA be gathered from all persons convicted. The measure was adopted by the full House of Representatives on February 7th, with 103 members voting in favor. You can read more about the legislation and see how you can help at See Guantanamo, the Play

The Young Advocates of the ACLU is hosting a special presentation of the play Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom on Sunday, February 26th. The show, which already has sold out some performances, takes place at the Timeline Theatre, 615 West Wellington Avenue in Chicago. A panel discussion will follow the play. For tickets, please contact aremtulla@stanfordalumni.org. You can read more about the play at http://www.timelinetheatre.com/tickets/index.htm and you can read more about the discussion following the play at http://www.timelinetheatre.com/guantanamo/sunday_scholars.htm. Originally produced to great acclaim in London in 2004 and a subsequent hit Off-Broadway, Guantanamo is based on interviews with detainees who were released from Guantanamo Bay in February 2004. This stirring docudrama weaves together personal stories, legal opinion and political debate, looking at questions surrounding the detentions of suspected "enemy combatants" while examining the potential damage being done to Western democratic values during the war on terror.



Key Lobby Day in Springfield on Comprehensive Sexual Education

Advocates are circling February 28th on their calendars. That is the day that advocates are gathering in Springfield to lobby for Responsible Sex Education. The Illinois Campaign is leading the event for Responsible Sex Education. If you require further information or to participate, please contact Adaku Utah at adaku@icah.org or call 312-427-4460 ext 236.



Have You Got a Story to Tell About Marriage Inequality?

ACLU-Illinois is on the forefront of the fight for marriage equality, working in an exciting collaborative effort with Lambda Legal and Equality Illinois. We want to hear the your personal stories of same-sex commitment! Please let us know how you and your families are affected by our government's limited definition of marriage. For questions or to contribute, please contact Jordan at jlong@aclu-il.org or call and leave a message at the front desk: 312-201-9740 x300.