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The ACLU of Illinois adds our voice to all Americans mourning the stilling of a great voice, Chicago legend and national treasure Studs Terkel. Studs described himself as a "guerilla journalist with a tape recorder," but in truth he was a chronicler of America. The land that Studs chronicled was not the America of bankers and Wall Street, but the America of laborers and Main Street. A fixture in Chicago for eight decades, Studs was an inspiration to opinion leaders, to academics, to political leaders, to civil libertarians and to all Chicagoans.Studs twice was honored by the ACLU of Illinois, first in 1981 with our award for journalism and then again in 1998 with our Freedom of Expression Award. But Studs' work with the ACLU of Illinois did not end with awards.

Yesterday, I turned a little of my worry about tomorrow's election into action by making some calls to support the No on 8 Campaign. In case you've missed it, Proposition 8 is the California proposition that will take away the fundamental right to marry from lesbian and gay persons. The direct effect of Prop 8, if successful, is to stop marriages in California, but indirectly its success will do damage throughout our country, including in Illinois. The proponents of Prop 8 certainly see it that way. That's why groups from outside of California, such as Focus on the Family in Colorado, are among the largest donors to support the passage of Prop 8. According to the Colorado Springs Gazette:

Following Friday's first Presidential Debate, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois put out a campaign ad criticizing Senator John McCain for not using the words "middle class" during the 90 minute debate which was focused, at least partially on the economy.

 had the good fortune to find myself in line in a high school cafeteria yesterday. It's been a long, long time since I've had the opportunity to make a meal of tater tots and pizza.

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