News & Commentary

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.

In a letter sent on February 21, 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois urged the Chicago Housing Authority not to approve a policy for a new mixed-use development in Chicago that mandates suspicionless drug testing for CHA residents at the facility.  The new development is the Shops and Lofts at 47, to be located at 47th Street and Cottage Grove on the City’s South Side.

The Daily Illini newspaper out of the University of Illinois published a poignant editorial endorsing the freedom to marry bill. The bill is currently set to be heard by the House Executive Committee on Tuesday, February 26 before moving onto the House floor for a final vote. The bill passed in the Senate on Valentine's Day by 34-21.

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Senator Daniel Biss (D) appeared on the WLS-AM radio show "Hartford and Kass" to discuss his sponsorship of a bill that would limit the use of surveillance drones by law enforcement in Illinois. The ACLU of Illinois is working with Senator Biss to ensure regulations are in place to protect privacy. Other ACLU affiliates have helped to pass similar laws in their states.

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