(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois says it was instrumental last year in stopping at least two attempts by suburban government officials to limit the rights of the LGBTQ community And now the ACLU has a message for all local officials.
The ACLU's message is not only for local leaders. It's for the voters who will elect them two weeks from now.
ACLU of Illinois Spokesman Ed Yohnka said there's been hard work done in the state to make sure people's rights are protected.
"But those protections don't mean that somebody can't show up and try to ban books or can't show up and try to end an LGBT club at a local school."
Yohnka said people often see the president, congress and the governor affecting their civil liberties.
"But the truth is, your town council, your library board, your local school board affect the respect, tolerance and appreciation of free speech and other civil liberties in your community every bit as much as those other entities do."
The ACLU's letter said: "Attempts to use local government to control speech are an affront to our First Amendment."
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!