Join the ACLU of Illinois at April 22nd Membership Summit


Do you ever read the newspapers and think, "What can I do?" If that question has ever occurred to you, please join us for the 2006 ACLU of Illinois Membership Summit focusing on "Defending Democracy in Our America." The event, scheduled for April 22nd in Champaign, will draw together ACLU members from across the State to focus on ways to encourage and assist in building civic participation. ACLU members also will get an opportunity to speak out on the issues that they believe are the most critical. If you want more information on the agenda and how to register, go to http://www.aclu-il.org/conference/.



Juvenile Detention Center Case Still in the News


At a hearing last week in our case challenging conditions for young people detained at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, the Judge observed that the detention center's superintendent had "flunked his test." The case continues to be the subject of a good deal of news coverage, including an editorial in yesterday morning's Chicago Tribune. You can read that editorial by going to http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0602280184feb28,0,3745660.story?coll=chi-newsopinion-hed.



Speaking Out on NSA Spying


Not to be outdone, the ACLU also was featured prominently on yesterday morning's editorial page for the Chicago Sun Times. ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell has authored a piece on the NSA spying that highlights the results of a new ACLU National opinion poll demonstrating that a majority of Americans want Congress to ensure that the President is subject to checks and balances before wiretapping the phone calls of Americans. As Colleen's piece makes clear, "(m)ost important, the results of the poll demonstrate that this is not a partisan issue. At least a third of Republican voters polled expressed concern that Bush is operating outside of the law." You can read the entire editorial at http://www.suntimes.com/output/otherviews/cst-edt-ref28.html.



Have a Meal and Support the ACLU of Illinois


Everyone gets hungry! When you consider dinner on March 14th, you can support the Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLU. This year, the ACLU again is participating in the Share-a-Meal Program. Restaurants in Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Flossmoor, Peoria, Springfield and Southern Illinois will participate in Share a Meal with Community Shares to help raise funds for dozens of community groups working to address homelessness, domestic violence, hunger, health care and other important community needs. You can help by enjoying a wonderful meal with family, friends or co-workers at one of the participating restaurants. In return, restaurants will donate 30% of their proceeds to Community Shares of Illinois and our member organizations. As a diner, you can designate a portion of your bill to one of the many benefiting charities. You can find a participating restaurant at http://www.share-a-meal.org.



Spring 2006 Edition of Our Newsletter Available Online


The Spring 2006 edition of The Illinois Brief is available to download in pdf format here. The Brief has a new, easy to read size and format. Members will receive their copy of the newsletter in paper format within the next two weeks. Download a copy and catch up on ACLU news and events!