By Ellyn Fortino, Communications Intern

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois spoke out in favor of some of the reforms recommended Feb. 19 in the final report from Gov. Pat Quinn's task force on nursing home safety. The Associated Press said:

The report also addresses how funds might be shifted away from nursing homes and toward community-based services and supportive housing for the mentally ill.

The reforms are similar to the goals of a lawsuit the ACLU of Illinois helped file in 2005, which according to the AP, "claims Illinois violates mentally ill residents' rights by housing them in institutions."

Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois, spoke about the task force's reforms:

The ACLU's Ed Yohnka said the task force report represents "a sea change" in state policy.

"The nursing home industry in Illinois has had such a stranglehold on state policy that it's led to dangerous, unhealthy and unproductive conditions," Yohnka said.

Congratulations to ACLU client (and Olympic speedskater) Shani Davis for his victory in yesterday's men's 1,000 meter race! Davis is the first speedskater ever to win gold in the event twice in a row. Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune writes:

Davis recaptured a gold medal Wednesday, using a turbo thrust on his final lap to finish with a time of 1:08.94, making him the first speedskater to win the 1,000-meter event twice at the Olympics. Then he finally cut loose, punching the air with the American flag in his hand on the podium, lingering on the infield to celebrate even as only a smattering of fans remained.

The ACLU of Illinois was proud to represent Davis in a 2003 suit against the City of Chicago for unwarranted stops and searches by Chicago police officers. 

By Ellyn Fortino, Communications Intern

Police Superintendent Jodi Weis said he wants to replace blue light cameras with covert cameras in Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Ed Yohnka, communications director and spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois said these covert cameras could be problematic in a Chicago Sun Times article Tuesday:

Ed Yohnka, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, questioned how much video surveillance will be enough for the department.

"They seem committed to running light years ahead of other cities" even though there is no evidence that surveillance cameras trigger a reduction in crime, Yohnka said. He added that the advanced surveillance technology is an invitation for abuse by rogue officers.

Watch the NBC video- ACLU: Cameras Don't Fight Crime