Don't miss this edition of the ACLU of Illinois' quarterly newsletter, the Illinois Brief. One of the benefits of membership, the Illinois Brief provides an in-depth look at ongoing litigation, the latest developments on our legislative agenda and opportunities to take action.

While normally we mail a print copy of the Illinois Brief to every current member, in an effort to hold down costs the Winter 2010 edition of the Illinois Brief is available only online.

Highlights from the Winter 2010 edition:

  • Extended coverage of the ACLU of Illinois' work to protect vulnerable young women by challenging Illinois' Parental Notice of Abortion Law:
    Parental notification laws pose a real threat to the small percentage of young women who feel they cannot involve a parent in their decision to terminate their unintended pregnancy,” said Lorie Chaiten, Director of the Reproductive Rights Project at the ACLU of Illinois.
  • An overview of current issues in the ACLU's legislative agenda from Mary Dixon, our legislative director, focusing on the Civil Union bill, Illinois' Accuracy in Government Reporting Act and an update to the Illinois Human Rights Act to protect victims of discriminatory conduct in the classroom.

  • A letter from Executive Director Colleen Connell, proposing action to combat the dysfunction that characterizes much of our political life. She challenges us to:
    resist cynicism and instead embrace the concept that ours is a government of, by and for the people. Most importantly, “we the people” must demand and assume a more active role in the governing process.

You can also read updates on several important ACLU legal cases, learn about opportunities to take action on ACLU issues and read more about the work your membership goes to support. Download the Illinois Brief now.