Blog Posts

As the leading civil rights and civil liberties organization in the Land of Lincoln, the ACLU of Illinois works constantly to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do in the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than an informed and engaged public citizenry. Knowledge is power.

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May 13, 2020

Another Medically Vulnerable Immigrant Ordered Released from ICE Custody at McHenry County Jail

Today, another man was released from ICE custody following a Monday ruling by U.S District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that he was likely to succeed in showing that conditions in the McHenry County Jail...

May 10, 2020

This Mother's Day, Let's Fight for Paid Sick Leave for Working Mothers

Today is Mother’s Day. Across the State of Illinois, many of us will contact our own mother – perhaps via Zoom this year – and others will remember mothers no longer with us. Like every year, we will...

Apr 22, 2020

It’s Time for Illinois to Take the Next Step on Harsh Drug Possession Laws

This week, the ACLU released a new update to a...

Apr 21, 2020

Immigrant Vulnerable to COVID-19 Released from ICE Custody at McHenry County Jail

Our client Souleymane Dembele has been released from ICE custody just days after the filing of a lawsuit on his behalf. Souleymane, husband to a lawful resident and father to three U.S. citizen children,...

Apr 20, 2020

New ACLU Report Shows Black Illinois Residents Were Seven Times More Likely to be Arrested for Cannabis Before Legalization

Black residents of Illinois were seven times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession in Illinois before the State regulated purchase and possession at the beginning of this year. In fact,...

Apr 17, 2020

Two Men Vulnerable to COVID-19 Sue ICE and McHenry County Officials for Release

Souleymane Dembele, who has lived and raised his family in the United States for almost a decade, lives in fear for his life while detained on civil immigration charges at the McHenry County Adult...