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. 

Filter News
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,...

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,...

7.5
7.5
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...

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...

breaking
breaking
Oct 31, 2019

CPD’s Use of Stingrays Needs Oversight and Transparency

Since at least 2005, the Chicago Police Department has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars on invasive surveillance technology that is capable of gathering vast amounts of data about people’s cell phone...

Since at least 2005, the Chicago Police Department has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars on invasive surveillance technology that is capable of gathering vast amounts of data about people’s cell phone...

Aug 15, 2018

Illinois Has a New Civil Asset Forfeiture Law. But Will It Stop 'Policing For Profit?'

For years, law enforcement agencies have extracted millions of dollars in cash, vehicles, and other property from Illinois residents through the little-understood practice of civil asset forfeiture. Civil...

For years, law enforcement agencies have extracted millions of dollars in cash, vehicles, and other property from Illinois residents through the little-understood practice of civil asset forfeiture. Civil...

caflogo
caflogo
Jun 29, 2018

ACLU Speaks Out on Chicago Police Contract

Statement of Rachel Murphy, Staff Attorney, At the Coalition for Police Contracts Accountability Press Conference.

Good Morning.  My name is Rachel Murphy, and I am an attorney with the...

Statement of Rachel Murphy, Staff Attorney, At the Coalition for Police Contracts Accountability Press Conference.

Good Morning.  My name is Rachel Murphy, and I am an attorney with the...

Jun 28, 2018

Are Chicago Police Using Social Media Monitoring Software to Spy on You? They Won’t Say.

On June 21, 2018, the ACLU of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police...

On June 21, 2018, the ACLU of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police...