News & Commentary

The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments regarding the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Indiana and Wisconsin on Monday in Chicago. During the hearing, the states presented their reasons for reinstating bans on same-sex marriage in their states, which had been ruled unconstitutional in lower courts this past June. Their arguments were met with harsh, and at times disapproving responses throughout the hearing. In particular, Judge Richard A. Posner took issue with the defense of the bans in the name of "tradition":

ACLU of Illinois Communications and Public Policy Director Ed Yohnka appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the topic of police wearing video cameras. In light of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, the discussion of police transparency and accountability has gained traction, with an increasing number of police departments considering issuing body cameras to be worn during police interactions with civilians.

Watch ACLU of Illinois Board Chair Jill Metz accept an award from the Chicago Bar Foundation at the 2014 Chicago Bar Association & Chicago Bar Foundation Pro Bono & Public Service Awards Luncheon. The event, which took place on July 15, 2014 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago,  honors lawyers from a broad cross-section of the legal community whose passion for serving others is reflected in their extraordinary commitment to the ideals of equal access to justice. Jill Metz is a renowned and experienced lawyer, who was inducted into the Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame in 2006 for her outstanding work in the law and in support of and for the LGBT community. Watch her acceptance speech:

Pregnancy shouldn’t be a firing offense, but time and time again, when pregnant women ask their employers for reasonable accommodations, they are shown the door.Guadalupe, a pregnant fast food worker in I

The tragic killing of college-bound teenager Michael Brown has raised questions about the frequency with which police kill unarmed black men in America. The answer, unfortunately, is far too often.

Protests broke out in Ferguson, Missouri last week, following the shooting death by police of unarmed teenager, Mike Brown. The police response to combat protestors shocked the country and cities nationwide are now questioning use of militarized police in their states. Yesterday, Red Eye Chicago published an article examining the use of military grade equipment and vehicles by police in Illinois. The article reports that there are thousands of pieces of military equipment in Cook County that local and state police have access to.

Religious refusals are a growing threat in Illinois and across the nation. Each of us has the right to our individual religious beliefs, but the exercise of religious freedom does not include the right to impose our beliefs on others. The Supreme Court’s decision in Hobby Lobby – allowing employers to use their religious beliefs to justify denying employees birth control under their insurance – is just the most recent, public example of this threat; and, the Supreme Court GOT IT WRONG!

The Windy City Times has a great photo and short write-up of ACLU of Illinois Board Chair Jill M. Metz receiving the prestigious Edward J. Lewis Pro Bono Award from the Chicago Bar Foundation at their annual luncheon on July 15, 2014. Throughout her career as a renowned and experienced lawyer, Jill Metz has advocated for equality by litigating on behalf of LGBT people, and was inducted into the Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame in 2006. That same year, Jill became the Board Chair of the ACLU of Illinois, having served on the board since 1999.