News & Commentary

Phil

Today, the chief sponsors of legislation to approve the freedom to marry for same sex couples in the Illinois House and Illinois Senate said that they will push for a vote on the measure in early January. State Representative Greg Harris and State Senator Heather Steans said today they believe the Illinois General Assembly is ready to add Illinois to the list of states that recognizes the love and commitment of all couples, including same sex couples.The following can be attributed to Edwin C. Yohnka, Director of the Communications and Public Policy at the ACLU of Illinois:

Toda

Nearly a year before passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama signed into law another sweeping change to America’s system of health care delivery. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government appropriated several billion dollars to assist all fifty (50) states implement new electronic medical records systems.

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States denied a request by Cook County State’s Attorney to review a May 2012 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit regarding Illinois’ eavesdropping law.  The appellate court ruled for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois in the case and the federal district court has entered a preliminary injunction, blocking the Cook County State’s Attorney from prosecuting ACLU staff for audio recording police officers performing their public duties in a public place and speaking loudly enough to be heard by a passerby. The recordings take place as part of the ACLU’s long time practice of monitoring police practices on the streets of Chicago. The information gathered by the ACLU of Illinois would be used as part of its advocacy for changes in police practices in the City. The Illinois eavesdropping law has been the subject of much debate of late. Two state court judges have ruled that the application of the law to prosecute individuals for recording police in a public place is unconstitutional.  And, a Cook County jury last year acquitted a young woman charged with the offense.  The following can be attributed to Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the ACLU of Illinois:

12/13/12 UPDATE: Legislative leaders announced plans to push for a vote on the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in early January.

Chicago Tonight reporter Paris Schutz spoke with ACLU of Illinois Legal Director Harvey Grossman about city officials who violated the Illinois Eavesdropping Act by secretly recording their phone calls with reporters. Under Illinois law, it is a felony to record audio of a person without their consent. The federal 7th Circuit Court of appeals recently ruled in favor of an ACLU of Illinois lawsuit challenging the application of the eavesdropping law to ACLU staff who wish to record audio of police officers performing their public duties in a public place. While the Cook County States Attorney is blocked from being able to prosecute ACLU staff who record audio without consent, Illinois citizens in other counties are still liable under the eavesdropping law and if charged, could face up to 15 years in prison.