We must – and will – continue to work to make sure Illinois remains a place where rights are protected and expanded.
We Will Leave No One Behind
The November election results call for strategic action but not catastrophizing. In other words, “keep calm and carry on.” That is precisely how the ACLU, here in Illinois, and across the country will respond to Trump 2.0.
The incoming administration has made no secret of its plans to attack civil rights and civil liberties, including: birth right citizenship, immigrants’ rights, voting rights, diversity, equity and inclusivity efforts, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, police reform, and criminal legal system reform. Trump and his acolytes continue to parrot the false refrain that human rights are a zero sum game – that respecting freedom of speech, acknowledging the liberty of all people, not just Christians, to worship how they please, protecting the right of women to make our own decisions about abortion and birth control, safeguarding the freedom of LGBTQ people to marry; protecting the freedom of every citizen to vote, somehow, depletes the freedom of what Trump and his folks describe as the “real Americans.”
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Trump 2.0 view that only those whose rights were recognized when the original constitution was ratified in 1789 promotes a churlish and narrow view of rights that, quite frankly, is unconstitutional and un-American. Subsequent amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery), the 14th Amendment (establishing birth right citizenship and the important guarantees of the privileges and immunities of citizenship as well as due process and equal protection of the law), the 15th Amendment (establishing that the right to vote shall not be denied on the basis of race), the 19th Amendment (protecting the right of women to vote); and numerous state constitutions, including Illinois, are explicit in their protection of broad civil rights and civil liberties. These charters make clear that protecting civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans, including those who are not yet citizens, is the law of the land. The ACLU is dedicated to advancing this constitutional vision despite the challenges of the next 4 years.
The ACLU will challenge every action we believe to be unconstitutional: if there is another Muslim ban, we will challenge it; if the Administration resurrects its cruel plan to separate children from their parents, we will challenge it; if there is an effort to enforce the Comstock Act to restrict medication abortion, we will challenge it. We will mount an aggressive effort to use state constitutional and statutory protections to build firewalls across the country that safeguard basic rights from federal encroachment.
Here in Illinois, we are committed to building and enforcing a firewall of protection to limit the inevitable harm that will flow from the new administration’s attacks. Illinois already has many protections in place – around access to abortion care and gender-affirming care, for example – but there is more we can and must do.
As a starting point, we will focus on protecting bodily autonomy, including advancing access to comprehensive reproductive health care as well as access to gender-affirming care and other LGBTQ+ rights. We also will continue our historic work to defend First Amendment rights to free expression, including the right to protest and the freedom to read and learn. We also remain committed to changing state governmental systems that affect people in care of the state, including in jails and prisons, youth detention centers, the Department of Children and Family Services, and institutions for those living with disabilities. We will resist any efforts from Washington to use these institutions to force Illinois to adopt ineffective right-wing policies or compel people to evince a particular religious viewpoint to receive services.
We will continue to advocate for constitutional policing that protects rather than threatens public safety across Illinois, assuring that police act constitutionally and their practices reflect community input and needs. Given the increased ability of both private and public actors to surveil individuals through technologies that are a part of our daily lives, we will work to expand privacy protections in our state.
This work will require each of us to oppose policies that target women, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, religious minorities, poor and low-income people, migrants, and immigrants at the federal, state, and local level. We can leave no one behind. Liberty is not a zero-sum game and only if we defend others’ liberty will our own be secured.
Let’s “carry on” in our proudest tradition.
Firewall for Freedom
The ACLU was built for this moment. Together with our supporters, we have confronted – and overcome – attacks on our rights for more than 100 years and 19 presidencies and we are not backing down now. No organization is better prepared to combat this threat to civil rights and liberties nationwide than the ACLU. We filed 434 legal actions against the first Trump administration’s illegal and cruel actions – and we are prepared to fight again with the organization’s full firepower. We have plans to litigate, legislate, and mobilize for reproductive freedom, immigrants’ rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the ability to speak out against government policy without fear of punishment or retribution, religious liberty and all civil rights and liberties. We are on the ground in every state, which uniquely enables us to fight locally and build powerful firewalls.
In Illinois, we will continue to protect and expand civil rights and liberties by building and enforcing a state-based firewall of protections to limit the harm from a hostile Congress, White House, or Supreme Court, including:
- Resisting further efforts to erode abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights, including access to gender-affirming care.
- Fighting alongside partner organizations to increase protections for immigrants and asylum seekers and to confront and resist mass deportation efforts.
- Blocking efforts to roll back basic rights to free expression and free speech, including the right to protest and the freedom to read and learn.
We must – and will – continue to work to make sure Illinois remains a place where rights are protected and expanded. The ACLU never shied away from challenging Trump’s reckless disregard for the Constitution during his first administration. And, we stand prepared to do the same this time. Read more about our plans here.
Special Announcement – Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project
We are thrilled to announce that the ACLU of Illinois recently launched our Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project. This project aims to enhance the Illinois Constitution as a source of rights and protections that is more robust than those established by the U.S. Constitution. This work expands on our long-standing work to enforce state constitutional protections for all Illinoisans.
Hear more from Kevin Fee, ACLU-IL Director of Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project on the importance of this work going forward:
Q: What are the goals of The Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project and how will it be part of Illinois’ state-based firewall plans?
A: Back in 1977, in a famous article in the Harvard Law Review, Justice William Brennan wrote that State constitutions are “a font of individual liberties, their protections often extending beyond those required by the Supreme Court’s interpretation of federal law” and that “without the independent protective force of state law” the “full realization of our liberties cannot be guaranteed.” The Illinois Constitution is an impressive and expansive document that is full of promise. It was ratified most recently in 1970, reflecting a desire by its framers to enshrine the rights of Illinoisans in the light of modern values and sensibilities. While it contains parallels to the core rights contained in the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution in many instances explicitly expands the scope and force of the U.S. Constitution. It also contains multiple independent rights and protections found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. It is particularly well-suited to serve as the “font of individual liberties” that Justice Brennan envisioned.
The goal of the Illinois Constitution and Democracy Project is to help ensure that the Illinois Constitution delivers on its promise. Through litigation in state court and advocacy in Springfield and our local communities, we hope to advance arguments for the expansive interpretation of Illinois constitutional provisions that we believe are consistent with the vision of its modern framers. We also hope to create a community of advocates, scholars and other citizens devoted to solidifying Illinois’s place as a haven for individual rights and liberties, regardless of how priorities may shift in Washington.
Q: Why is this work at the state level so important at this moment?
A: As Justice Brennan’s now nearly 50-year-old quote makes clear, state constitutions have long stood as pillars of American liberty, and state constitutional litigation is not new to the ACLU of Illinois. This project’s expansion of our commitment to this litigation would be appropriate and important in any historical or political moment. But circumstances at the federal level have converged to make right now an opportune time to redouble our efforts to bolster state protections.
Make no mistake: federal civil rights litigation is and will remain an indispensable tool for litigants to enforce their rights and achieve justice, particularly on issues of what is now settled law. But the U.S. Supreme Court appears intent on rolling back existing protections provided by the U.S. Constitution, or selectively advancing certain rights at the expense of others. The Dobbs decision brought the Court’s apparent appetite for dismantling long-settled constitutional protections into particularly stark relief. And the incoming presidential administration – empowered by a Supreme Court that has allowed for dramatic expansion of executive power even as it curtails the rights of ordinary citizens – has expressed hostility to the rule of law and promised to roll back protections for, and even directly attack, our most vulnerable communities as a means of “retribution” and political posturing. The dual threat of an administration dedicated to dismantling the foundations of civil society, alongside a U.S. Supreme Court that cuts an increasingly regressive and destructive jurisprudential path, makes state constitutions essential bulwarks guarding rights and liberties whose future in the federal courts seems ever more uncertain.
In short, it has never been more important for our State to stand as a refuge for Americans seeking liberty as federal protections recede, and the Illinois Constitution can provide the structure upon which a durable rights framework can be built. While the “floor” established by the U.S. Constitution may be shifting, the Illinois Constitution can establish a “ceiling” of rights that reaches high above it. It is the work of this project to see how high.
Updates on the Fight for Rights and Liberties
KIND Act Passes the Illinois Senate
In late November, the Illinois Senate unanimously adopted House Bill 4781 – the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act – at the end of the 2024 Illinois Legislative Veto Session. The KIND Act establishes a “kin-first” approach making it easier for family members to care for children removed from their parental home, even if they are not designated as foster parents. These changes aim to reduce the trauma from family separation, create permanency for the children, and ensure an equitable distribution of resources for caregivers. The KIND Act is now with the Illinois House of Representatives awaiting a concurrence vote that we are hopeful will occur in the new year.
Support End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients
Someone facing a terminal diagnosis should have the choice to end their life peacefully at the time of their choosing. Medical aid in dying is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. Illinois could join 10 other states and Washington, DC in legalizing end-of-life options.
In January, the Illinois legislature in Springfield will consider Senate Bill 3499, which would give a mentally capable, terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to obtain a prescription medicine that they can take to end their life peacefully. The proposal includes a requirement that two separate physicians assess and confirm the diagnosis and that the patient utilize mandatory counseling on all treatment options. This expansion of end-of-life options is part of Illinois' commitment to bodily autonomy for each of us.
Take Action: Tell your state senator and state representative that you support medical aid in dying.
Engaging Together Around the State
Post-Election Virtual Town Hall
On November 13th we held a virtual event to explore the impact of the 2024 election and the fight ahead under a second Trump Administration. This event featured ACLU-IL Executive Director Colleen Connell and Director of Communications and Public Policy Ed Yohnka. Together, we discussed the ACLU's strategy to address anticipated civil liberties threats, answered audience questions, and shared ways to take action. The close-captioned recording can be viewed here.
Join Us: 2025 ACLU Lunch Featuring Keynote Speaker Sherrilyn Ifill
Please join us for the annual ACLU Lunch: Fighting for a More Perfect Union on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Hilton Chicago and streamed virtually to hear from keynote speaker Sherrilyn Ifill on the fight for a new American democracy. Ifill is a civil rights lawyer and scholar. From 2013-2022, she served as the President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), the nation’s premier civil rights law organization fighting for racial justice and equality. Ifill is currently the Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights at Howard Law School, where later this year she will launch the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy.
As Ifill wrote in her newsletter following the election:
“Yes, this is America. It always has been. I remain committed to imagining and creating a new America. A true multi-racial democracy centered around equality and justice. I believe it lies just over the hill. I do not need to see it in my lifetime to know that it can happen. That it will happen. But I – we – do need to do the work to lay its foundation. And there’s no turning back.”
In this critical moment, the ACLU Lunch will remind each of us about our role in protecting and advancing our rights and liberties. We hope you can join us on April 4th. Sponsorships and tickets are available for purchase here.

What’s Happening Around the Country
Abortion Rights Ballot Wins
Of the ten states with abortion rights on the ballot in 2025, seven states, including several that supported Donald Trump, voted to secure abortion access – marking decisive victories for abortion rights in a contentious election year. States such as Missouri, Montana, and Arizona showcased bipartisan agreement on the importance of abortion rights:
- Missouri, the first state to enact an abortion ban after Dobbs, overturned its ban, ensuring that decisions about Missourians’ reproductive health care can be made by patients with their health care providers, not politicians. The ACLU of Missouri and its partners played a pivotal role in mobilizing voters through canvassing efforts across the state.
- In Montana, voters chose to safeguard the explicit right to abortion in their state constitution and passed Constitutional Initiative 128. This initiative permanently secures the right to make and implement decisions about pregnancy and abortion in Montana. The ACLU of Montana was a driving force behind the ballot measure, uplifting the overwhelming support for abortion rights in deep Trump country.
- In Arizona, a state that had aggressively restricted access to abortion care for years and imposed a near total-ban on abortion after Dobbs, voters came out with nearly 62% of the vote in favor of Proposition 139, enshrining the right to an abortion in their state’s constitution. Importantly to note, this vote passed with a wider margin in Arizona than Trump’s win. The ACLU of Arizona played a key role in this effort.
While these wins are monumental, the battle for our reproductive freedoms remains ongoing. The ACLU will continue to lead efforts in defending abortion rights and access nationwide.
Ask the Expert
On December 4, 2024 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti. Transgender youth and their families challenged a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care.
Michelle García, ACLU of Illinois Deputy Legal Director, answered the following questions:
Q: Why is this case so important as part of the fight for trans rights and gender-affirming care?
A: To achieve equality, fundamentally, trans people must be able to choose their medical care with their medical providers to exist and affirm who they are. This case addresses whether Tennessee can specifically deny transgender youth from receiving medical care (hormones and puberty blockers) to treat gender dysphoria that the law allows non-transgender youth to receive. The ACLU filed suit because, on its face, this law is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause because it treats youth who want the same medical care differently specifically because of their sex and transgender status.
Q: How could the potential outcomes affect people in Illinois?
A: If the ACLU and the federal government win, the Supreme Court could conclude that the Tennessee law discriminates on its face and could affirm the Supreme Court precedent of Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) that discrimination against someone because they are transgender is sex discrimination. The Court, likely, would send the case back to the Sixth Circuit of Court of Appeals to determine if Tennessee demonstrated with evidence that its reason for the law was substantially related to an important state interest. The District Court did not find that Tennessee met that burden and entered an injunction in favor of our clients. Hopefully, the Sixth Circuit would reach that same conclusion.
If the ACLU and the federal government lose, then the Tennessee law will continue to ban transgender youth from receiving this life-saving healthcare. In Illinois, we are fortunate that gender-affirming care is available to both adults and youth, and that our Illinois Legislature moved to protect that care and medical providers in 2023. Given our proximity to Tennessee, we expect more transgender youth along with their parents will seek this life-saving medical care in Illinois.
ACLU of Illinois Community Spotlight
Each of us has a critical role to play in the ongoing fight for civil rights and liberties, including at the state and local levels. ACLU of Illinois Chapters exist across the state to offer the opportunity to engage in this in local communities. Hear from two of our Chapters leaders below.
Brayden Bobowski

Brayden Bobowski is the President of the ACLU of Illinois Student Chapter at Illinois State University.
Q: Why is the fight for civil rights and liberties important to you?
A: In the United States’ current political landscape, threats to undermine constitutional rights are surfacing across all levels of government, meaning it’s increasingly important that we remain committed to building a more just society and protecting civil liberties. While we have been able to make huge strides in this fight, as a student studying our political system, it’s clear to me that there is still plenty of work to be done. This led me to found a student chapter of the ACLU of Illinois, with the goal of further increasing student investment in civil rights advocacy. The victories achieved by the ACLU and likeminded groups have a real impact on people throughout the U.S. and can shape the futures of generations of come, which is why it’s crucial for young people to get involved.
Q: What role do you see for students in the fight for civil liberties?
A: I think students can play a vital role by increasing public knowledge of constitutional rights and galvanizing long-term community support for civil liberties advocacy. I believe that when students educate themselves on their rights, they are in turn more equipped to educate others about civil rights and explore methods to increase protections for civil liberties, both skills that will follow them throughout their studies and continue throughout their adulthood. Additionally, the interconnected nature of educational settings, especially university campuses, gives students the potential to build more complex understandings of civil rights in everyday life and to facilitate interest in advocacy work among their friends and peers who may not have otherwise gotten involved in the fight for civil liberties.
Q: What is giving you hope right now when you think about the future of this work?
A: Something that’s giving me hope about the future of civil liberties advocacy work is an increased interest amongst students and community members across Illinois and the rest of the United States. More people are becoming actively involved in fighting for the rights of people in their communities and are putting heightened pressure on their government to do the same. While there will inevitably be obstacles along the way, I find confidence in knowing that people across the country are increasingly educating themselves on systemic injustices and collaborating with others to bring visions of a more perfect union closer to fruition.
Q: What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
A: Recently, I have been reading The Color of Law of Richard Rothstein, which explores the myth of de facto segregation and examines how the government weaponized housing policies to uphold and reinforce racial segregation in the US. On a lighter note, I have been rewatching Community with my brother, Tyler, and I’m looking forward to continuing our TV marathon over the holidays.
Jessica Thomas

Jessica Thomas (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for civil rights and social justice. She is the President of the ACLU of Illinois Peoria Chapter. Passionate about equity and community empowerment, she works to advance meaningful change through advocacy and action.
Q: Why is the fight for civil rights and liberties important to you?
A: I value the fight for civil rights and liberties because I believes equality and justice are the foundations of a thriving and inclusive society. My work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the rights and opportunities they deserve. I am passionate about amplifying marginalized voices and dismantling systemic barriers to create lasting, meaningful change.
Q: Why is it important for people to play an active role in their communities?
A: It is important for people to play an active role in their communities because collective involvement fosters stronger, more connected, and resilient neighborhoods. When individuals contribute their time, talents, and resources, they help address local challenges, create opportunities, and build a sense of shared responsibility. Active participation also includes holding elected officials accountable, ensuring they uphold their commitments and serve the community's best interests, which is essential for fostering trust, transparency, and meaningful progress.
Q: What is giving you hope right now when you think about the future of this work?
A: I am inspired by the growing number of individuals and organizations uniting to demand equity, justice, and accountability. Seeing communities mobilize and younger generations step into leadership roles gives me hope for a future rooted in progress and lasting change.
Q: What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
A: I am currently enjoying the clever humor and heartfelt moments of Abbott Elementary, the gripping drama of Tulsa King, and the dynamic storytelling of Cross. These shows offer a mix of inspiration, entertainment, and thought-provoking narratives.
Who Else You Should Know
We know what a Trump administration means for immigrant communities and our nation as a whole. On the campaign trail he made plain his desire to build on the horrors of his first administration and aggressively target the millions of immigrant community members who live in our neighborhoods, attend our schools, and run businesses in our communities. The ACLU will fight back against these attacks nationwide alongside partner organizations. We accomplish so much of our work in Illinois in coalition with partners who are doing critical work throughout the state.
Below are a few of the organizations doing essential work to fight for the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers in Illinois. We also encourage you to research other organizations and efforts in your communities. Please consider learning more about and donating, if you are able, to these organizations.
Council on American-Islamic Relations – Chicago (CAIR-Chicago):
CAIR-Chicago – part of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group – focuses on Illinois’ Muslim community. We work to attain equal opportunity for, and normalize the image of, Muslims in America through defending civil rights, fighting bigotry, and promoting tolerance. Our Civil Rights team provides pro bono services to defend against civil rights violations, including discrimination and harassment, to help individuals seek justice. Through our Traveler’s Assistance Project (TAP), we support at-risk travelers impacted by travel bans, providing legal help before, during, and after their journeys. Together, we stand as a shield for the vulnerable and a voice for justice. We also assist asylum seekers and immigrants with navigating legal processes.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR):
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees in our diverse society. Since its founding in 1986, ICIRR has worked to establish the first permanent line-item in the state budget dedicated to immigrant services in the country, pass legislation at the state level that provided in-state tuition for undocumented students, enable undocumented drivers to get drivers’ licenses, and bar local and state law enforcement from holding individuals based on immigration status.
In addition to its legislative work, ICIRR created the New Americans Initiative (2005), which has helped 534,000 people gain access to citizenship, and helped 105,394 immigrants prepare applications for citizenship.
Latinos Progresando:
Latinos Progresando (LP) is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization with the mission to elevate the well-being of the Mexican community. Founded in 1998, Latinos Progresando provides a solid foundation through immigration legal services, builds connections to promote wellness and wealth, and amplifies Mexican voice in civic and cultural life.
Our work includes high-quality, affordable immigration legal services, leadership development and social emotional learning programs, support services for small businesses, events that highlight Mexican history and culture, coalition-building and cross-community collaboration, including the creation of the Excellerator Fund, a 5-year initiative to invest $5 million in Black and Mexican-led organizations. Most recently, LP convened a group of Mexican nonprofit executives to commission UIC’s Great Cities Institute to produce Fuerza Mexicana: The Past, Present and Power of Mexicans in Chicagoland, a first-of-its-kind report on the state of Mexicans in Chicago.
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC):
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) works to establish and defend the legal rights of immigrants, regardless of background, and to transform the immigration system to one that affords equal opportunity for all.
Since 1984, NIJC has been unique in blending direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy to defend access to justice for immigrants, while striving to transform the U.S. immigration system into one that upholds human rights. NIJC’s expert in-house legal staff collaborates with a network of pro bono lawyers from the nation's leading law firms to provide legal services to more than 11,000 people each year, maintaining a success rate of 98 percent in obtaining legal relief that allows clients to build new lives with their families and communities in the United States.
Onward Neighborhood House:
Onward Neighborhood House is a community-based non-profit located in Belmont Cragin which provides wraparound support services to Chicago’s Northwest Side. A neighborhood anchor in Chicago since 1893, it offers early childhood education, special education, school age education, adult education, primary healthcare, mental health services, a food and resource pantry, and an Illinois Welcoming Center for immigrants and refugees.
To meet rising demand for critical services, Onward House has launched a new building project, the Onward House CARES Community Center. The CARES Center exemplifies the model developed over the last 130 years, providing a range of social services under one roof.
Take Action & Join Us
Advocate
- Message your state legislators: Support Medical Aid in Dying
- Message your U.S. Representatives and Senators: Stop the Trump Administration: No Mass Deportations
- Message your U.S. Senators: Protect the Right to Dissent
- Sign the Petition: Stop Project 2025
- Tell the Office of Management and Budget: Keep the Trump Administration’s Hands off our Data
- Tell the Trump Administration: We Will Not Tolerate an Attack on our Reproductive Rights
Listen
- ACLU At Liberty Podcast: We Have a Plan: Cecillia Wang and W. Kamau Bell
- ACLU At Liberty Podcast: There’s Always Room for Joy: Padma Lakshmi, Punkie Johnson and W. Kamau Bell
- ACLU At Liberty Podcast: Riffs and Resistance: Tom Morello and W. Kamau Bell
Read
- ACLU of Illinois: Response to Peoria City Council Action on Ordinance Criminalizing Camping Outdoors in Public Spaces
- ACLU of Illinois: Criminalizing Houselessness
- Illinois Times: The Journey to Commemorate the 1908 Race Riot (co-written by ACLU Springfield Chapter President Ken Page)
- ACLU National: We’ve Seen 105 Years and 19 Presidents. Trump’s Gotta Get Past All of Us
- ACLU National: Incarceration Should Not be a Death Sentence for Individuals Who Use Opioids
- ACLU National: How Biden Can Act Now to Limit Trump’s Mass Deportation Agenda
- ACLU National: Biden Must Use Final Months in Office to Commute Federal Death Sentences
Watch
- We’ve Been Here Before (0:58)
- Freedom To Be: Sage Dolan Sandrino (1:06)
Stay Connected
Before the end of the year, we encourage you to consider donating to the ACLU of Illinois and the ongoing fight for civil rights and liberties. There are a variety of ways to give:
- Make a Tax-Deductible Gift
- Become an ACLU Member
- Give a Gift Membership
- Join the Next Generation Society (or purchase a membership for someone else!)
- Donate Appreciated Stock
Questions about donating? Please reach out to us at giving@aclu-il.org. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!