[ACLU-CU ALERT] DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

[Champaign County ACLU Announcements]

*Never-Regular, Always True… *

*News from Your Local ACLU *

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https://www.aclu-cu.org

DECEMBER 2025

*Dear Members and Friends,*

Here at the ACLU of Champaign County, we are thinking over the past year
and reflecting on what lies ahead for us in 2026. And yes, we are writing
to you in that dangerously “woke” font, Calibri, banned because it’s easier
for people with disabilities to read. Although we freely admit we also
love Times
New Roman, the new darling of all MAGA State Department correspondence. As
for serifs, we think Georgia and Garamond are cool, too! Before we get
serious, if you care about typography and love a chuckle, check out this
amusing take on the font tempest in a teapot.
<https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2025/12/marco-rubio-woke-font-calibri/685212/>



*PROPOSED ANTI-CAMPING ORDINANCE IN CHAMPAIGN*

The morning of Tuesday, December 2, we learned that Champaign City Council
planned to vote THAT NIGHT on an anti-camping ordinance aimed at unhoused
people. Local advocates for the homeless and social service providers had
not been consulted! An ordinance like this criminalizes vulnerable people
while doing nothing to end homelessness. We got to work at once, connecting
with our mother organization, ACLU of Illinois, who connected us with a
statewide organization, Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness Law Project.
By that evening, the three groups had sent a letter to the council members
signed by senior attorneys. The letter laid out why the ordinance was not a
constructive approach to homelessness, pointed out that it raised both
moral and legal issues, and asked the council to delay voting. When
confronted with a huge upswell of quickly-organized public opposition, the
City Council voted down the ordinance. It was a great example of allies
working together quickly to respond to a poorly-conceived ordinance and we
are proud to have been part of it. Thanks to everyone who wrote to the
council and mayor, all those who spoke at the meeting, and a special thank
you to our elected officials who listened to their constituents, understood
the objections raised, and voted down the proposed ordinance.



*URBANA SURVEILLANCE ORDINANCE – Ordinance no. 2024-12-042
<https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/urbanail-pubu/MEET-Packet-bc637dfc7d1f4c3ca4401b3a1f353dbc.pdf>*

We continue to advocate for this ordinance
<https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/urbanail-pubu/MEET-Packet-bc637dfc7d1f4c3ca4401b3a1f353dbc.pdf>
 and it’s progressing. We are working to ensure the ordinance applies to
all departments and not just the Police Department. The next meeting of the
council is January 5 and we will be in touch if the ordinance is on the
agenda. Thanks to sponsors Grace Wilken and Jaya Kolisetty.*Expressing your
support to your council member will help move the ordinance forward!*

Contact Info <https://www.urbanail.gov/city-clerk/page/city-council> for
Urbana City Council. More info from IL Public Media.
<https://ipmnewsroom.org/urbana-city-council-tables-measure-that-would-require-approval-for-police-surveillance-technology/>


*VEO BIKESHARE VEHICLES*

We recently met virtually with a VEO representative about the difficulties
caused by improperly parked vehicles. Everyone has the right to access our
local sidewalks, access ramps and curb cuts, and thanks to the American
Disabilities Act (ADA), that includes walkers who push a stroller, or use a
walker or wheelchair. We urged VEO to better educate their customers about
how to park the bikes correctly. If you see a VEO bike or scooter blocking
a sidewalk or access ramp, contact the company at *hello at veoride.com*
<hello at veoride.com>. If the company does not respond and move the vehicle
in a timely manner, please let us know at info at aclu-cu.org. If you know of
specific areas around C-U where VEO vehicles cause problems, we want to
know about those locations, too.


*STATEWIDE NEWS:*

*“Deb’s Law” aka Medical Aid in Dying (Senate Bill 1950) *was signed into
law by Gov. Pritzker on Dec. 12. The measure means that Illinois now will
join the growing list of states that recognize medical aid in dying as a
trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum
of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.
Specifically, once implemented, the legislation allows a mentally capable,
terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less the option to
obtain a prescription medication they may decide to take so they can die
peacefully and end their suffering. The measure contains a wide range of
protections to ensure that people are not coerced or intimidated into
utilizing medical aid-in-dying when it does not reflect their
choice. Thanks to all who worked to make this happen, and a special
shout-out to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Director at the ACLU of Illinois.

*ACLU of ILLINOIS **UPDATES <https://www.aclu-il.org/en/press-releases>**:
INCLUDING CHICAGO IMMIGRATION CASES *


*WHAT CAN I DO? *

*If you are asking that question, you are NOT alone. *

1.     You can *speak up* in support of the rule of law and against abuses
of power.

SHARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH THOSE AROUND YOU. Having trouble finding the words?

 READ <https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/speaking-out-against-abuse-power> OUR
HELPFUL GUIDELINES.



2.     Join the ACLU COMMUNITY ACTIVATOR NETWORK
<https://www.aclu-il.org/en/join-community-activator-network>.



3.     Encourage everyone you know to register to vote. Know your voting
rights
<https://www.aclu-il.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-voting-illinois>
.



4.     DONATE <https://www.aclu-il.org/en/donate-0> TO ACLU ILLINOIS TO
SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE STAFF.



5.     Become more involved as a local activist in our Champaign County
chapter. Our steering committee meets the second Thursday of each month at
7 pm at the Champaign Public Library. Email us at info at aclu-cu.org.



*WHO IS YOUR STAND-UP HERO? We’re making a list and checking it twice!*

*Is there someone you’ve read about or encountered who has stood up to
authoritarianism and defended civil liberties, civil rights, and/or the
rule of law in a small or large way? A librarian? A local official? A judge
or teacher?*

*If that person has NOT been in the news, write them a note and let them
know you appreciate their courage. We don’t want to expose them to
retaliation.*

*If their story is public, send us their name and a link to their
story. We’re making a list of STAND-UP HEROES so we can acknowledge the way
they inspire us. You can also send them a message of support, of course. *

*SEND YOUR NAMES TO **info at aclu-cu.org* <info at aclu-cu.org>* with HERO in
the subject line and we will print the list in the January newsletter.*

*WE WISH YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS*

*AND HEALTH, PEACE, and RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL in 2026.*
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