News & Commentary

The ACLU of Wisconsin is concerned about a case in which a judge has sealed the file in an open records case, as reported on by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Racine Journal Times. On Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, Racine County Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz reportedly admonished the plaintiff in the case, Racine Ald. Sandra Weidner, to abide by his secrecy orders. Weidner faces charges of contempt of court, purportedly for having discussed the case with the Journal Sentinel.

  

We just won our case against the State of Wisconsin over health insurance coverage for transgender state employees. The Judge called the exclusion of coverage a straightforward case of sex discrimination.

This conversation is not just about leggings or tank tops. It is a bigger issue that zeroes in on unequal enforcement of a student dress code in violation of the Constitution and various civil rights statutes designed to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex.  All school administrators should reexamine their dress codes to guard against unfair practices, guidelines or policies, whether in the classroom, on the internet.

In a recent press release on his Facebook page, the Racine County Sheriff has made clear his intention to honor detainer requests issued to his jail by ICE.  The ACLU of Wisconsin recently issued a report reviewing cooperation with ICE by Sheriff Departments across the state.  In response to open record requests from the ACLU, the Racine Sheriff indicated that he had no policy or procedure concerning ICE detainer requests.  

In response to an ACLU request earlier this month, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office today will no longer honor detainer requests from ICE to hold immigrants who would otherwise be released.  A copy of the new policy is available below.

Voter REGISTRATION is not the same as VOTER ID. To vote in Wisconsin, you must be registered. To see if you’re registered at your current address, check online at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/RegisterToVoteYou have to REGISTER if:You’ve never voted in Wisconsin before;You’ve moved since the last time you voted in Wisconsin – even if you just moved across the street or to a new apartment in your building;You changed your name (by ma

Campaign materials from Richard Schmidt, a candidate for Milwaukee County Sheriff, used a photograph of a volunteer legal observer with an ACLU branded vest. We wish to clarify that the ACLU is a nonpartisan organization that does not support, oppose or endorse candidates.