The Chicago Tribune reports significant legislation updating the rules on sexual health education in Illinois passed the Senate on a 37-21 vote. The ACLU of Illinois has worked, as part of a broader coalition, to pass this critical bill which ensures that students receive age-appropriate, medically accurate and comprehensive information about their sexual health. The bill now moves to Governor Quinn's desk for signature.

The legislation is a change from current policy, where abstinence is the only requirement for schools with sex ed classes. The measure was approved on a 37-21 vote and needed 30 to pass.

Supporters argue that abstinence-only education is not effective and students should be taught about other methods of birth control and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Opponents contend abstinence-only education should remain the norm in schools, saying parents should decide how to educate their kids about sex.

Sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, said the measure still would require schools to teach that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy and disease, while at the same time allowing "students to make healthy decisions for themselves."

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The Chicago Tribune reports, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether requiring employers (as part of the reforms of the Affordable Care Act) to cover birth control as part of their health insurance plans would violate the First Amendment. The ACLU has filed amicus briefs in several cases, defending the anti-discrimination rule. While religious freedom gives us all the right to make personal decisions about how to practice religion, it doesn't give institutions or individuals the right to impose their beliefs on others or to discriminate.

But in an unexpected twist during a hearing on the merits of a preliminary injunction, the lawyer for the U.S. government argued that accommodating the business owners' religious beliefs could violate the First Amendment as well.

. . . Alisa Klein, an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, said allowing a company to impose a religious framework on a diverse workforce would amount to fostering or enabling religious practice.

“At bottom, the concern is about establishing religion,” Klein said.

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The Southtown Star published a strong editorial in support of the freedom to marry in Illinois. 

It really comes down to the basic issues of fairness and equality — gay people should not be denied a fundamental right enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Many social injustices have been eliminated in America. The one regarding same-sex marriage should be next.

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