ACLU Case on NSA Phone Records Moves Forward


In May, we reported that the ACLU of Illinois acted on behalf of six prominent clients, including iconic author Studs Terkel, to challenge AT&T for divulging the personal phone records of millions of customers to the National Security Agency. Since that time there have been a couple of important developments. First, as in other cases across the nation, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion indicating their "interest" in the matter, a sign that the government may seek to intervene in the case. Second, AT&T filed a motion seeking to delay any action in the case until a multi-district litigation panel can consider whether similar lawsuits from across the nation should be combined and brought before one judge. The ACLU of Illinois vigorously opposed that motion, arguing that our lawsuit sought an end to the data sharing on behalf of Illinois citizens who fear that the program may still be active. Last Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kennelly rejected AT&T's motion, clearing the way for the court to consider the ACLU's motions in the case without delay. You can read more about the judge's decision by going to http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0606110336jun11,1,5342844.story.

Another NSA Case in the News


In another development challenging government spying, the ACLU National office was in court in Detroit earlier this week asking a federal judge to put an immediate halt to the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program. The case was brought on behalf of a number of journalists, academics and activists who believe they may have been subjected to the warrantless surveillance. Part of the government's argument this week is that while the program is lawful, proving that lawfulness will require revealing state secrets. Because of this, the government is expected to ask the court to dismiss the case without ruling on the underlying issues. You can read more about this weeks court action at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/michigan/chi-ap-mi-domesticspying-la,1,1660713.story.

The Latest on the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center


We previously reported to you that the ACLU of Illinois successfully negotiated a new amended agreement with Cook County that creates a panel of experts to make recommendations for improvements at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center - one of the largest juvenile detention facilities in the nation. One critical element for assuring that the recommendations of the panel are implemented at the facility is the appointment of a Compliance Manager - to be on-site at the JTDC and direct the completion of the necessary changes. Last week, U.S. District Court Judge John Nordberg approved the appointment of Brenda Welch to serve as the monitor, a critical step in improving conditions at the JTDC for youth held at the facility. You can read more about the appointment of Ms. Welch at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/illinois/chi-ap-il-juvenilecenter,1,5722818.story.

ACLU of Illinois Turns out for Fair Illinois


On Saturday, June 3rd a group of ACLU of Illinois leaders and volunteers turned out to help our friends at Fair Illinois verifying petitions submitted to the Illinois State Board of Elections that would place an advisory referendum to be placed on the November 2006 Illinois ballot to urge our General Assembly to amend the state constitution so as to define "marriage" as between one man and one woman. Our friends at Fair Illinois are in the final stages of verifying more than 300,0000 signatures submitted in May. If you have time to volunteer a few hours for a fun, easy project, please contact Fair Illinois at fairillinois@yahoo.com.

Show Your PRIDE in the ACLU


The Chicago Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 25th. We always have a great time, and everyone is welcome. All ACLU marchers receive a FREE ACLU T-SHIRT, water, snacks, and statue of liberty headgear! The parade assembles on Halsted street, south of Belmont, and we kick off between 11 and noon. The atmosphere is electric, and the people are always fun, especially the ACLU crowd. Interested? Just email ysotelo@aclu-il.org. (To see a picture from last year's parade, visit http://www.aclu-il.org/takeaction/events/2006/06/june_25_2006_chicago_pride_par.shtml)