Chicago Tonight reporter Paris Schutz spoke with ACLU of Illinois Legal Director Harvey Grossman about city officials who violated the Illinois Eavesdropping Act by secretly recording their phone calls with reporters. Under Illinois law, it is a felony to record audio of a person without their consent. The federal 7th Circuit Court of appeals recently ruled in favor of an ACLU of Illinois lawsuit challenging the application of the eavesdropping law to ACLU staff who wish to record audio of police officers performing their public duties in a public place. While the Cook County States Attorney is blocked from being able to prosecute ACLU staff who record audio without consent, Illinois citizens in other counties are still liable under the eavesdropping law and if charged, could face up to 15 years in prison.

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The Windy City Times discussed developments in our case, Grey v. Hasbrouck, which sought access to ensure that transgender transgender individuals can receive new birth certificates that reflect their correct gender. Cook County Judge Michael Hyman approved the agreement, which will allow individuals to change the gender on their Illinois birth certificate without being required to undergo genital surgery. The article points out that while the new policy does not mandate genital surgery, there is a requirement that individuals prove some form of surgery related to their gender transition. The reporter spoke with ACLU of Illinois' LGBT and HIV Project Director John Knight:

Knight said that while the final agreement is an important first step, ACLU will likely push for a better rule.

"I think we will look at a way to either persuade the legislature or go back to court at some point, asking that the surgical requirement be removed completely," Knight said.

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The Associated Press reported on the consent decree in Grey v. Hasbrouck, which ensures transgender Illinoisans can obtain birth certificates that reflect their current gender from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The agreement reached in July was officially approved this week by Cook County Judge Michael Hyman. The AP quoted John Knight, LGBT and HIV Project Director and lead attorney in the case:

"It is critical that our clients and others are able to get birth certificates that accurately reflect who they are without being required to undergo costly surgery that they may not want or need," said John Knight, director of the Illinois ACLU's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project. "The state never should have involved itself in these private decisions about medical care."

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