THE ROGER BALDWIN FOUNDATION OF ACLU INC

JUSTICE PROGRAM: CORRECTIONS REFORM PROJECT - THE PROJECT CONTINUES TO WORK TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL PERSONS IN ILLINOIS PRISONS. THE STATE CONTINUES TO LAG IN IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO MAKE CHANGES, AS NOTED IN REPORTS FROM COURT APPOINTED EXPERTS. WE ALSO ARE PURSUING A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING CONDITIONS AT THE MARY DAVIS HOME, A FACILITY DESIGNED TO HOLD YOUTH IN DETENTION PRIOR TO TRIAL OR FURTHER ADJUDICATION. THE HOME, LOCATED IN GALESBURG, HAS FAILED TO MEET CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS, INCLUDING THROUGH IMPROPER USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. POLICE PRACTICES PROJECT -THE PROJECT CONTINUES TO FOCUS THIS YEAR ON IMPLEMENTING A CONSENT DECREE BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AIMED AT IMPROVING POLICING ACROSS THE CITY. OUR CLIENTS AND PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED VALUABLE INPUT FROM THEIR MEMBERS, BRINGING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND LIFE EXPERIENCES FROM ALL ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO. THE PROJECT HAS SPOKEN OUT AGAINST PROPOSED POLICIES THAT FAIL TO ADDRESS INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC, AND THOSE THAT FALL SHORT OF THE MEANINGFUL REFORM SOUGHT BY CHICAGO RESIDENTS AND PROMISED UNDER THE DECREE. THE PROJECT ALSO CONTINUES A SEPARATE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CHICAGO POLICE ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL CHICAGO RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO REPEATED, UNNECESSARY TRAFFIC STOPS. THE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE PART OF A MASSIVE TRAFFIC STOP PROGRAM BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TARGETING BLACK AND LATINO DRIVERS IN CHICAGO THAT ARE ALLEGED TO ENHANCE SAFETY, BUT DATA SHOW NO SUCH POSITIVE IMPACT.

INSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROJECT - THE PROJECT CONTINUES TO WORK TO IMPLEMENT DEEP, MUCH-NEEDED CHANGES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES. THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON ASSURING THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF DCFS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE IN THE WAKE OF THE STATES TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN IN DCFS TO A MANAGED CARE SYSTEM. REPORTS CONTINUE TO SHOW THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT RECEIVING THE CONTINUING, INDIVIDUALIZED CARE THEY REQUIRE. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO PUSH THE DEPARTMENT TO CREATE A MEANINGFUL PROGRAM TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCES AND STRENGTHEN OTHER SUPPORTS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES CARING FOR CHILDREN IN DCFS CUSTODY. THIS YEAR WE CONTINUED WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT UNDER AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO GUIDE IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDITIONS FOR YOUTH UNDER THE CARE OF DCFS. THE PROJECT ALSO IS WORKING TO IMPLEMENT CONSENT DECREES IN THREE (3) SEPARATE LAWSUITS DESIGNED TO MOVE HUNDREDS OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES - AS WELL AS THOSE EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS - FROM LARGE INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS INTO THE COMMUNITY CONSISTENT WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.