The 2021 agenda of ACLU initiatives in Springfield was aggressive and far-reaching. We engaged legislators on initiatives ranging from advancing comprehensive sexual health education, to holding police accountable, and much more.

Find out more in our legislative wrap-up below, and find out what items we need you to take action on before the Veto Session in October.

LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THIS SESSION

Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act: SB 818 creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12 to give young people the information and tools they need to be safe and support responsible and informed decision making about their health and well-being throughout their lives.
Effective date: 8/20/21

Take Action: Thank your legislators who supported SB 818

Decriminalize HIV: HB 1063 repeals the harmful Illinois law that criminalizes people living with HIV. Currently people living with HIV can face the threat of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration without any transmission taking place. Repealing this law would treat HIV like any other chronic disease.
Effective date: 7/27/21

Take Action: Thank Governor Pritzker for signing HB 1063

Protecting Household Privacy Act: HB 2553 places modest parameters on the collection and use of household electronic data by law enforcement. With the proliferation of these devices – like “Alexa” or a Ring doorbell, there needs to be some rules to protect your private information.
Effective date: 1/1/22

Take Action: Thank Governor Pritzker for signing HB 2553

LEGISLATION STILL IN SPRINGFIELD

Repeal PNA: SB 2190 repeals a dangerous law that creates barriers for access to reproductive health care for young people. The Parental Notice of Abortion Act is part of a by-gone era in Illinois, a time when our state passed a series of laws in the 1990s designed to limit access to reproductive health care.

Take Action: Contact your state senator and representative in support of SB 2190
Send a message | Call your state senator at 1-866-974-8813 | Call your state representative at 1-866-587-3023

Removing Felony Bar for Individuals Seeking a Name Change: HB 2542 brings our state’s overly-restrictive name change law, in line with the majority of other states and helps those who are transgender, gender-expansive people and survivors of human trafficking live safer and more authentic lives by removing the ten-year waiting period and the lifetime ban.

Take Action: Contact your state senator in support of HB 2542
Send a message | Call 1-866-584-3906

Reducing Barriers to Recovery: HB 3447 implements a proven public health approach, eliminating the failed policies of the “War on Drugs.” The bill reclassifies the charge for simple possession of all drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor and provides access to drug treatment for those who are arrested.

Take Action: Contact your state senator in support of HB 3447
Send a message| Call 1-866-249-0841

The Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act: HB 1727 removes blanket “qualified immunity,” the unfair and unnecessary legal barrier that often blocks courts from holding police officers accountable when they violate a person’s constitutional rights.

Take Action: Contact your state senator and representative in support of HB 1727
Send a message | Call your state senator at 1-866-956-3902 | Call your state representative at 1-866-581-7519 

Legislative Resources

Podcast: How to make your voice heard in Springfield

Our work in Springfield

WATCH OUR SESSION RECAP VIDEO

Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1063 into law, which ends criminal penalties for those living with HIV in Illinois, effective immediately. Illinois is now the second state in the country to take this crucial action after Texas.

Previously, people living with HIV (PLWH) in Illinois faced the threat of arrest, prosecution and incarceration even if they did not transmit HIV to another person. Additionally, PLWH often faced longer sentences simply because of their HIV status.  

“The criminalization of HIV has harmed communities in our home state for decades. It has done nothing other than spread fear and stigma, and it discouraged people from getting tested or knowing their status. This legislation was passed to bring an end to these harms and modernize how we approach this public health issue. We are very relieved to see this destructive law has finally been stricken from the books,” said the Illinois HIV Action Alliance (IHAA).

“Illinois’ HIV criminalization law was rooted in fear and racial biases. It was used to abuse people in our state, targeting people living with HIV and disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ people, women, and Black and Brown communities,” said State Sen. Robert Peters, lead Senate sponsor.

“Not a single study throughout the country shows HIV criminalization has reduced HIV transmission in any jurisdiction where it exists. It was far past time to get rid of this harmful law, and we thank Governor Pritzker for repealing it once and for all,” said State Rep. Carol Ammons, lead House sponsor.

“The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation salutes Governor Pritzker for signing HB 1063, a monumental bill that will greatly improve the lives of people living with HIV in the state of Illinois. We congratulate the Illinois HIV Action Alliance and AIDS Foundation Chicago for their tireless work and ambition to fully repeal the state’s HIV criminal code. Following the legacy of our founder, Elizabeth Taylor, we support HB 1063 and stand with all organizations who are committed to reforming unjust HIV legislation nationwide. We remain grateful for the success in Illinois and for the opportunity to support these incredible organizations and community members,” said Catherine Brown, Executive Director, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

House Bill 1063 ends criminal penalties against PLWH by amending the Criminal Code of 2012, repealing the statute creating the offense of criminal transmission of HIV, and makes conforming changes in the AIDS Confidentiality Act, the Illinois Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act, the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Criminal Code of 2012, and the Unified Code of Corrections.