RECENT NEWS
ACLU IL ANNUAL LUNCH 4/4/2025
The Peoria Chapter of the ACLU of Illinois was well represented at this year’s ACLU Illinois Lunch, “Fighting for a More Perfect Union,” held April 4th at the Hilton Chicago’s International Ballroom. Our delegation—President Jessica Thomas, Treasurer Evonne Fleming, and Board Members Keri Hayes, Amanda Roberts, Kayla McGhee and Adam Kattom, and Taylor Thomas—joined civil‐liberties advocates from across the state to celebrate recent victories and recommit to defending fundamental rights.
Civil‐rights scholar Sherrilyn Ifill, Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor at Howard University School of Law and former President & Director‐Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, delivered a stirring keynote entitled “The Fight for a New American Democracy.”
Her call to action—urging us to safeguard voting rights, dismantle systemic racism, and protect free speech—resonated deeply with our Peoria team and left the room energized for the work ahead.
Throughout the program, attendees heard about ACLU of Illinois’s major wins: securing stronger transparency in police oversight, expanding access to reproductive healthcare, and defending the rights of immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities. True to ACLU values, the event offered live ASL interpretation and captioning for both in‑person and virtual participants, with additional accommodations available on request.
Thanks to generous ticket sales and sponsorships, the Lunch raised vital support for impact litigation, grassroots advocacy, and public‐education campaigns across Illinois in 2025. Our Peoria Chapter returned home inspired and ready to put that momentum to work—
We invite you to join the Peoria ACLU and look out for upcoming opportunities to assist in our mission. Together, we can make a real difference in Central Illinois.