Cases

One of the main ways the ACLU of Illinois works to protect civil liberties and civil rights is through litigation. Litigation remains one of the fundamental tools with which our adept legal team fights for equality and civil rights throughout the state.  This section of our website documents the cases we’re working on now and those we’ve handled in recent years.

If you wish to request legal assistance, please visit our Request Assistance page.

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Chicago v. Fulton

An unprecedented rise in civil and criminal fines and fees over the past three decades has propelled people into bankruptcy.

March 11, 2020

Butler v. Staes

We represent Jaylan Butler, a Black college swimmer for Eastern Illinois University, who was held at gun point and arrested without justification by multiple law enforcement officers. When his swim team’s travel bus stopped near a rest area on the way home f

February 3, 2020 Police Practices and Racial Justice

TRUST Act

We have sued the Sheriffs of two Illinois counties, Ogle and Stephenson, for violating the TRUST Act. In 2017, Illinois enacted the TRUST Act, a measure that limits state and local law enforcement’s participation in federal immigration enforcement.

November 5, 2019 Immigration

Brown v. Circle K

We are suing Circle K – the national convenience store chain – for firing Judi Brown, an African-American transgender woman. Soon after Ms. Brown started working at Circle K’s Bolingbrook store, her manager began asking her invasive and offensive questions, including about Ms.

August 27, 2019 LGBTQ and HIV Advocacy