The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments regarding the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Indiana and Wisconsin on Monday in Chicago. During the hearing, the states presented their reasons for reinstating bans on same-sex marriage in their states, which had been ruled unconstitutional in lower courts this past June. Their arguments were met with harsh, and at times disapproving responses throughout the hearing. In particular, Judge Richard A. Posner took issue with the defense of the bans in the name of "tradition":

Judge Posner said, “It was tradition to not allow blacks and whites to marry — a tradition that got swept away.” Prohibition of same-sex marriage, he said, derives from “a tradition of hate” and “savage discrimination” of gays.

Read the entire article from the New York Times.

ACLU of Illinois Communications and Public Policy Director Ed Yohnka appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the topic of police wearing video cameras. In light of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, the discussion of police transparency and accountability has gained traction, with an increasing number of police departments considering issuing body cameras to be worn during police interactions with civilians.

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Read more on the WTTW website.

Watch ACLU of Illinois Board Chair Jill Metz accept an award from the Chicago Bar Foundation at the 2014 Chicago Bar Association & Chicago Bar Foundation Pro Bono & Public Service Awards Luncheon. The event, which took place on July 15, 2014 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago,  honors lawyers from a broad cross-section of the legal community whose passion for serving others is reflected in their extraordinary commitment to the ideals of equal access to justice. Jill Metz is a renowned and experienced lawyer, who was inducted into the Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame in 2006 for her outstanding work in the law and in support of and for the LGBT community. Watch her acceptance speech:

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Learn more about the CBA & CBF Pro Bono & Public Service Awards Luncheon.