News & Commentary

Federal forces and the National Guard are not here to advance public safety; they are part of Trump’s larger program to intimidate and stoke fear among people who do not share his vision for mass deportation and detention and other policies that threaten the civil rights and civil liberties of residents across Chicago.

The ACLU has filed more than 200 legal actions against the second Trump Administration, and we are stopping or stalling the worst offenses. Together, with your support, we will not back down.

We have put together talking points and ideas to help all of us feel empowered to speak up and speak out against these abuses of power.

Local elections are important in the fight to protect basic rights and civil liberties.

We have confronted – and overcome – attacks on our rights for more than 100 years and are not backing down now.

The threats to our civil liberties have only become greater as surveillance technology has expanded to meet law enforcement demands.

The 2024 Spring Legislative Session concluded in May during which the ACLU of Illinois and our partners worked on legislation on a range of issues to advance our civil rights and liberties.

With Expecting Justice, the ACLU of Illinois and the WJI saw the need for a deeper evaluation of the often-overlooked conditions for those who are pregnant or postpartum, and others needing reproductive health care, in county jails across the state. 

On Tuesday, March 26 the Supreme Court of the United States heard a case involving the broad availability of mifepristone, the safest and most widely used medication for abortion care.