News & Commentary

Don't miss this edition of the ACLU of Illinois' quarterly newsletter, the Illinois Brief. One of the benefits of membership, the Illinois Brief provides an in-depth look at ongoing litigation, the latest developments on our legislative agenda and opportunities to take action.

A federal investigation, prompted by reports from the Chicago Tribune and complaints from a Chicago alderman, is underway at the North Side nursing home, Somerset Place.Federal officials declined to comment on

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Happy New Year ACLU Insiders! 2009 is over and that means the infamous "best of the decade" lists. Lately, I have been bombarded with the best music and movies of the decade, but here is a top ten list to be truly proud of: The important civil rights and liberties advances of the decade.1. January 2000- Illinois Governor George H. Ryan

Illinois recently raised the registration fee for lobbyists from $350 to $1,000, for each person who lobbies, and for each organization that employs such a person. Thus, for a non-profit organization that employs one lobbyist, the registration fee has jumped from $700 to $2,000. The ACLU of Illinois, with two full-time legislative advocates, must now pay $3,000. In this regard, Illinois is an anomaly: in 42 states, the lobby registration fee is $150 or less for a non-profit group and its lobbyist employee; and in the other 7 states, that fee is less than $365. The federal government charges no lobby registration fee at all. Moreover, Illinois exempts from this fee media organizations, and certain lobbying by religious groups.

The holidays are here. Have you thanked the First Amendment lately? The Springfield Chapter of the ACLU of Illinois re

Creating A 'Gitmo North' An Alarming Step, Says ACLU

Common Dreams has an important article on the new National Resolution for Ending School Pushout. Too many children - students from poor commmunities, students of color - face punitive, zero-tolerance school environments that dramatically increase the likelihood of students dropping out of school.