The 2021 agenda of ACLU initiatives in Springfield was aggressive and far-reaching. We engaged legislators on initiatives ranging from advancing comprehensive sexual health education, to holding police accountable, and much more.

Find out more in our legislative wrap-up below, and find out what items we need you to take action on before the Veto Session in October.

 

LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THIS SESSION

Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act: SB 818 creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12 to give young people the information and tools they need to be safe and support responsible and informed decision making about their health and well-being throughout their lives.
Effective date: 8/20/21

Take Action: Thank your legislators who supported SB 818


Decriminalize HIV: HB 1063 repeals the harmful Illinois law that criminalizes people living with HIV. Currently people living with HIV can face the threat of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration without any transmission taking place. Repealing this law would treat HIV like any other chronic disease.
Effective date: 7/27/21

Take Action: Thank Governor Pritzker for signing HB 1063


Protecting Household Privacy Act: HB 2553 places modest parameters on the collection and use of household electronic data by law enforcement. With the proliferation of these devices – like “Alexa” or a Ring doorbell, there needs to be some rules to protect your private information.
Effective date: 1/1/22

Take Action: Thank Governor Pritzker for signing HB 2553


 

LEGISLATION STILL IN SPRINGFIELD

Repeal PNA: SB 2190 repeals a dangerous law that creates barriers for access to reproductive health care for young people. The Parental Notice of Abortion Act is part of a by-gone era in Illinois, a time when our state passed a series of laws in the 1990s designed to limit access to reproductive health care.

Take Action: Contact your state senator and representative in support of SB 2190
Send a message | Call your state senator at 1-866-974-8813 | Call your state representative at 1-866-587-3023


Removing Felony Bar for Individuals Seeking a Name Change: HB 2542 brings our state’s overly-restrictive name change law, in line with the majority of other states and helps those who are transgender, gender-expansive people and survivors of human trafficking live safer and more authentic lives by removing the ten-year waiting period and the lifetime ban.

Take Action: Contact your state senator in support of HB 2542
Send a message | Call 1-866-584-3906


Reducing Barriers to Recovery: HB 3447 implements a proven public health approach, eliminating the failed policies of the “War on Drugs.” The bill reclassifies the charge for simple possession of all drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor and provides access to drug treatment for those who are arrested.

Take Action: Contact your state senator in support of HB 3447
Send a message| Call 1-866-249-0841


The Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act: HB 1727 removes blanket “qualified immunity,” the unfair and unnecessary legal barrier that often blocks courts from holding police officers accountable when they violate a person’s constitutional rights.

Take Action: Contact your state senator and representative in support of HB 1727
Send a message | Call your state senator at 1-866-956-3902 | Call your state representative at 1-866-581-7519 


Legislative Resources

Podcast: How to make your voice heard in Springfield

Our work in Springfield

WATCH OUR SESSION RECAP VIDEO