News & Commentary

There are many important races down ballot in this Election which impact your rights and civil liberties.

Local elections are important in the fight to protect basic rights and civil liberties. There are many important races on the ballot in the 2023 Consolidated Election which impact your rights and civil liberties.

There are many important races down ballot in the Midterm elections which impact your rights and civil liberties.

The ACLU of Illinois today responded to the City of Chicago’s announcement of a security plan for Election night and beyond. The following can be attributed to Colleen K. Connell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Illinois: “This election season has been extraordinary – marked by millions of Americans waiting for hours to vote early and millions of others voting by mail. Still other Americans have encouraged those waiting to cast their ballot with advocacy, music, dancing and even cookies and pizza. In this difficult time, the American people have come together to fight the pandemic, challenge blatant voter suppression and make their voices heard. These voices will not fall silent on Tuesday. In the wake of the election, millions Americans will continue to exercise free expression – including some who will gather together in the streets of Chicago. Some will celebrate the election’s outcome; others will communicate their disappointment; and still others will want to articulate their vision of policies that make our neighborhoods and our country better. No matter the message, these are voices of Americans who have a yearning and a right to come together and be heard.  The City of Chicago recently announced plans for these gatherings after the election. Above all else, any such plan must be based on welcoming all voices on to Chicago’s iconic streets and plazas to share their messages — not on silencing dissent through curfew, restrictions of transportation to and from protests, or policing that harms people. This requirement that government respect the rights of Americans to assemble and speak is embedded in our Constitution, and it is the process for improving our country.  Let’s count every vote and then celebrate freedom to assemble and to speak!”

With early voting under way in the 2020 election – and a record number of mail-in ballots being distributed and returned across the State of Illinois – voters need access to more information about how they can assure their vote is recorded in November. As Election Day nears, voters also need more information about how they can change their minds, and vote in person even if they have requested a mail-in ballot. 

The following can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois: “No Illinois resident should face the choice between their health and making their voice heard in the 2020 election. Voting is the most fundamental way in which we give voice to our views – it must be protected.   Because of this basic precept, we applaud Governor Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 1863 into law today, and express deep appreciation for the members of the General Assembly who voted to approve the measure. The bill supports our election in 2020, by expanding critical access to early voting and vote by mail. These measures and others will help assure that the election process moves smoothly even if we continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. But the new law also supports elections in the future – by standing up a strong public education campaign that should help every Illinois resident understand how they can assure their vote is counted, and by expanding participation as voting judges for 16- and 17-year old Illinoisans. Engaging young people early will make voting a habit for life – building voter participation across future years.  Finally, we welcome making Election Day 2020 a statewide holiday. We hope that all Illinois residents will use it to celebrate our electoral process, and find ways to help those in need get to the polls. We will be a stronger state because of this new law.” 

Early voting for the 2020 Primary Election in Illinois is underway. From President to local prosecutors, judges and other officials, your vote in this election will have an impact on how civil liberties are protected and advanced in our state.  Mark sure you make a plan and vote. 

With just a few days to go before Election Day we know you are being barraged with political advertising, mailings and emails for specific candidates. The ACLU of Illinois wants to remind you that there are two critical ballot issues worthy of your support. 

One of the proudest areas of work for the ACLU across the nation over the past several decades has been our efforts to expand the right to vote. In recent years, the ACLU has led the fight against voter suppression efforts, including recent litigation in neighboring Wisconsin to challenge that state’s discriminatory “voter identification” law.