A lawyer, with an established practice in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood and a distinguished record of activism on behalf of lesbians and gay men in Illinois, today was elected President of the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. Jill Metz received a unanimous vote from the 40-member Board at its regular meeting, and will assume the position as President on January 1, 2006.

"Jill brings a wealth of experience and a proven commitment to civil liberties to the Board presidency," said Colleen K. Connell, Executive Director for the ACLU of Illinois immediately after the vote. "She has been a member of the ACLU since college. More importantly, she has used her service on the Board to assist the organization in fundraising, in making our voice heard in the state legislature and in expanding our work in the lesbian and gay community."

Ms. Metz has been active the ACLU of Illinois for many years, and served as a member of the Board since 1999. She has been a leader in organization's Gay and Lesbian Rights Project Advisory Committee. During the past five years, Ms. Metz served as Chair of the Board's Development Committee, overseeing the organization's comprehensive effort to raise funds that support the programs of the ACLU in Illinois.

A graduate of Loyola University School of Law, Ms. Metz directs her own law firm, providing a range of legal services but specializing in the provision of legal protections for same sex couples. She also has served as the President of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner of Special Service Area #26, Treasurer of the Stonewall Democrats, and legislative liaison for the Lesbian and Gay Rights Committee of the Chicago Bar Association.

"We are thrilled to have a lawyer of Jil's experience devote her volunteer efforts to lead our advocacy efforts," added Connell. "In these times when our most basic constitutional values are under constant threat, Jill's expertise, enthusiasm and organizational skills will benefit our members across the State of Illinois."