12/13/12 UPDATE: Legislative leaders announced plans to push for a vote on the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in early January.

Last May, the ACLU went to court to win the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Illinois. We said then that the time to end the discriminatory ban against marriage for same-sex copies was now. Recent events have shown how right we were.

As you may have seen, a number of public leaders are talking publicly about advancing legislation in the next few months to permit same sex couples to marry. This is no surprise. The truly historic wins on marriage in the recent election -- in Maine, Maryland, Washington State and Minnesota (defeating an anti-marriage amendment to their constitution) -- create powerful momentum across the nation for basic fairness and the freedom to marry.

We also know that a majority of people in Illinois now support the freedom to marry for same sex couples. This growing majority reflects changing attitudes across every demographic group, including increased support in every age group, religious affiliation, political party and ideological perspective. All Illinoisans deserve a policy that reflects their values -- values of fairness and dignity.

Winning the freedom to marry in Illinois will not be easy, just as it was not easy in Maine, Maryland or Washington State. It will be won only through hard work and assistance from concerned voters all across the State. Nothing is guaranteed. We will keep you posted in the weeks and months ahead on developments in the legislature. In the interim, we continue to work on behalf of the nine couples we represent who reflect the diversity that makes our state great.  All couples in Illinois deserve the dignity and fairness of being able to marry the person they love.

We will not rest until that goal is achieved.

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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Read more and watch the video from Chicago Tonight.

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.

Read the whole thing.