About the work of the ACLU
The ACLU focuses primarily on three functions: educating policy-makers and the public on Constitutional and civil liberties concerns; lobbying for legislation which strengthens civil liberties, and against legislation which violates or undermines them; litigating, where staff and volunteer cooperating attorneys represent clients free of charge in selected cases where Constitutional rights have been violated.
From the ACLU of Illinois
Campaigns
The ACLU of Illinois is engaged in several long-term campaigns to address the systemic problems undermining freedom in our state. Whether we are working toward securing rights for pregnant women, ensuring that people of color are treated fairly by the law, or protecting patients’ rights, our campaigns provide a thorough, targeted, and effective method for defending civil liberties throughout our great state. Learn more about the ACLU of Illinois’ current campaigns.
Cases
One of the main ways the ACLU of Illinois works to protect civil liberties and civil rights is through litigation. Litigation remains one of the fundamental tools with which our adept legal team fights for equality and civil rights throughout the state. Learn more about the cases the ACLU of Illinois is working on now and those we’ve handled in recent years.
If you wish to request legal assistance, please visit the Request Assistance page.
Legislation
The work of the ACLU of Illinois with the Illinois legislature is a critical way that we advance civil liberties in our state, and we spend a significant amount of time engaging in the legislative process each year.
We aim to support bills that strengthen our rights guaranteed under the Constitution and defeat bills that threaten them. See below for information about our legislative efforts.
Learn more about the legislative work of the ACLU of Illinois, view their legislative resources, or take action.