After nearly three decades working in public policy, it remains a mystery the way in which some set priorities. This was reinforced recently at a hearing for the State Task Force on Civic Education. The Task Force, created by the Illinois General Assembly, is charged with reporting back to the legislature by the end of the year on the ways in which Illinois can bolster and strengthen the teaching of civics and government in our public schools.

Illinois, sadly, is one of the states that has no requirement that students take or pass a course on how government operates in order to graduate from high school.

The Task Force has developed a very thoughtful report, one that merits wide attention from the legislature, from educators across Illinois and from the public. As part of finalizing its report, the Task Force is hosting a series of public hearings, inviting advocates, educators and anyone else to share their views on the importance of civic education and the specific recommendations offered by the Task Force. This week's hearing was held at a large, suburban high school in an upper middle class area.

It was encouraging to hear advocates, educators and even students speak about the importance of civic education, and how their lives have been positively affected by involvement in civic education. One man travelled several miles simply to share his view that the State must encourage more education about history, specifically American history.

After a time, a man rose to speak, offering a mild rebuke to the Task Force for not explicitly identifying possible costs for their proposals. Since the Task Force is not suggesting a specific curriculum for civic education (though, they do suggest mandating a civics class as a requirement for high school graduation), the costs would be borne by local school districts if they adopted new, more modern civic education curricula. The speaker -- who also was a member of a school board -- wanted to know "where the money was coming from," noting that it costs thousands of dollars simply to change the text books for a single course.

I do not question that emphasizing civic education in Illinois could incur some additional costs. My question is more direct: why are we not prepared to bear that cost? Interestingly, pulling up to the high school where the hearing was held, it was difficult not to be impressive (dazzled, even) by the carefully manicured lawns on all the athletic fields surrounding the high school. Even as a former high school athlete, it is remarkable that no one ever asks how much we should spend on athletics. Instead, we often are treated to vague notions about how the athletic program serves the entire community (building "pride" we are often told) or that such programs are well-funded because they are part of a local tradition.

As for tradition, I feel a little like paraphrasing Judge Richard Posner when he questioned Wisconsin and Indiana officials supporting the bans on the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples in those states -- "Tradition? That is all you have?"

Couldn't one argue that a well-informed, well-educated generation of students might actually do more to serve the entire community? As a simple matter, studies show that students who study government and civic education in high school are far more likely to participate in elections. Yes, they vote. Every couple of years we decry the low voter turnout but then want to question the cost of a simple step that can address the problem.

It remains strange to me how we choose priorities like this without having a real, meaningful conversation. That said, it was hopeful to see the young people from one high school in particular who turned out to speak about how civic education had set them on a path to public involvement. I'd not expect the same thing from football players.

Read Ed Yohnka's testimony (PDF).

When you go to the polls on November 4th, you have a chance to support unfettered access to birth control. A question on Illinois' ballots for 2014 is straightforward: Shall any insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription coverage be required to include prescription birth control as part of that coverage?"

The ACLU of Illinois strongly urges you to vote YES on this measure. A successful vote on this matter will send a strong signal that birth control access for all persons in our State is a priority--a priority that should not be ignored by the legislature or other elected officials. Vote YES and you will join the ACLU in our historic commitment to supporting access to all forms of contraceptive care--without interference from government or an employer--for all persons in Illinois.

Go to the polls in November 4th and vote YES on this measure. You can help protect access to birth control for all persons in Illinois.

Brittany Maynard--a 29 year old woman who was recently diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor--has chosen to move to a state where she will have access to medication that will allow her to end her life on her own terms. The so-called "right to die" movement is slowly gaining traction around the country. Oregon, which is where Maynard relocated with her family, is one of five states that allow people with terminal illnesses access to life-ending medications in order to avoid suffering until their final breath.

Chicago recently played host to a national right to die convention, which attracted hundreds of people from across the country. Maynard is just one of many people fighting to enact death-with-dignity laws in other states. Oregon's statute permits physician-assisted aid in dying once a citizen meets specific criteria. The ACLU of Illinois is currently working to educate lawmakers in Springfield about the issue in order to lay the groundwork for a similar measure in Illinois. In an op-ed published on CNN.com, Maynard writes:

Now that I've had the prescription filled and it's in my possession, I have experienced a tremendous sense of relief. And if I decide to change my mind about taking the medication, I will not take it.

Having this choice at the end of my life has become incredibly important. It has given me a sense of peace during a tumultuous time that otherwise would be dominated by fear, uncertainty and pain.

Now, I'm able to move forward in my remaining days or weeks I have on this beautiful Earth, to seek joy and love and to spend time traveling to outdoor wonders of nature with those I love. And I know that I have a safety net.

Read Maynard's story on CNN.com.