News & Commentary

Recent studies demonstrate that the DNA collected in the national database already reveals predictive information about an individual's medical and mental health. Even if this personal information is revealed, Posner suggests, we need not worry since laws exist to "deter" government from sharing or selling this personal information to insurance companies and others who will have a significant interest in such data. But the laws that prohibit such sharing of personal information can be lifted in short order, or done so retroactively. Read the whole thing.

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Dear Fellow Illinoisans,

Today, the ACLU and the ACLU of Illinois filed a friend-of-the-court brief in two additional appeals challenging the Affordable Care Act’s (“ACA”) contraceptive coverage rule. Our brief urges the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to reject requests by secular, for-profit companies and their owners to block enforcement of the rule. The district court in both cases refused to grant the companies’ requests, and they seek to overturn those decisions.

Professor Randolph Stone of the University of Chicago Law School responded in the Chicago Tribune to Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely's call for the city police to adopt a policy know as "stop-and-frisk". The ACLU has long opposed such policies. In 2003, we represented Olympic Gold Medalist Shani Davis in a lawsuit challenging repeated stop-and-frisk searches by Chicago police.Professor Stone writes:

 

We note with great sadness the passing of former Illinois Comptroller, former State Senator and former long-time ACLU of Illinois Board member Dawn Clark Netsch, who passed away at her home after a courageous battle with a debilitating disease. Dawn played a pivotal role in the history in advancing civil liberties and fundamental fairness. She was a delegate to the convention that created Illinois’ modern, expansive constitution and fought to include explicit protections of the right of privacy. She was an early leader and supporter for advancing LGBT rights. She was a staunch defender of the ability of women to access reproductive health care. She fought every battle with a wry wit and a relentless commitment to do the right thing.