AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended March 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

150 N MICHIGAN AVE STE 600, CHICAGO, IL 60601-7570

In care of

% ALTHEA T WALTON

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

COLLEEN K CONNELL, 150 N MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60601

Signed the 990

COLLEEN K CONNELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Phone

(312) 201-9740

Website

WWW.ACLU-IL.ORG

Return prepared by

Prado & Renteria CPAs Prof Corp

Mission

DEFEND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, AND OTHER RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE US CONSTITUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

Program accomplishments

• LEGISLATIVE: INITIATIVES FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDED AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE TRAUMA OF FAMILY SEPARATION AND IMPROVE YOUTH OUTCOMES BY REDUCING BARRIERS TO RELATIVE PLACEMENTS WHEN YOUTH COME UNDER THE CARE OF THE DCFS SYSTEM. THE LEGISLATION REQUIRES COURT OVERSIGHT TO FIND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CAN TAKE YOUTH INTO CARE - IF THEY MUST BE SEPARATED FROM BIRTH PARENTS - AND ESTABLISHES A KINSHIP NAVIGATOR PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE PROCESS. THE BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW AND WE ARE NOW MONITORING ITS IMPLEMENTATION. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR ADVOCACY TO PROTECT HEALTH DATA PRIVACY. ALTHOUGH THE LEGISLATION DID NOT MOVE THIS SESSION, WE SUCCESSFULLY WON COMMITMENTS FROM LEGISLATORS TO WORK ON LEGISLATION THAT WILL ASSURE THAT OUR PERSONAL HEALTH DATA IS PROTECTED WHEN IT IS COLLECTED BY THIRD PARTIES. WE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED A MEASURE THAT MAKES AN IMPORTANT REFORM TO ILLINOIS LAW THAT SEEKS TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY AND DAMAGE OF SO-CALLED STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (SLAPP). THE NEW LAW ENSURES THAT MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA CAN USE THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY AND HARASSING ACTIONS AGAINST THEM. AND WE WORKED TIRELESSLY IN A COALITION TO ENCOURAGE ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS TO PASS A MEASURE THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE MEDICAL AID IN DYING IN ILLINOIS, ALLOWING MENTALLY COMPETENT, ADULT ILLINOIS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE A TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS OF SIX MONTHS OR LESS TO OBTAIN A PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICINE THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO DIE PEACEFULLY IN THEIR SLEEP. THE ACLU ALSO SUPPORTED LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDED ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES IN ILLINOIS, A MEASURE THAT PROHIBITS LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM SHARING DATA FROM AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS WITH FEDERAL OR OUT OF STATE POLICE INVESTIGATING SOMEONE WHO CAME TO ILLINOIS TO SEEK LAWFUL HEALTH CARE, AND A MEASURE THAT ALLOWS DOCTORS IN ILLINOIS TO CONTINUE TO ACCESS MEDICATION NO LONGER APPROVED BY THE FDA IF THAT MEDICATION CONTINUES TO BE RECOMMENDED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
  Expenses $1,202,162
• COMMUNICATIONS: THE COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE ACLU OF ILLINOIS ARE DESIGNED TO: KEEP OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS UPDATED ON THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION; BROADLY INFORM AND ADVANCE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR WORK AND ISSUES OF CONCERN (CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES) IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC; AND TARGET MESSAGES THAT MAY MOVE OPINION LEADERS IN SUPPORT OF OUR WORK. WE UTILIZE AN ARRAY OF COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, FROM PUBLIC SPEAKING TO SOCIAL MEDIA, EMAIL COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS, OTHER WRITTEN MESSAGES, AND PODCASTS. THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MESSAGES THAT REACH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS DURING THE YEAR REGARDING THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION.
  Expenses $319,558
• CHAPTERS: IN FOUR DISCREET GEOGRAPHIC AREAS ACROSS THE STATE - URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, SPRINGFIELD, AND PEORIA - ACLU MEMBERS VOLUNTARILY GATHER TOGETHER TO FORM LOCAL CHAPTERS TO ADVANCE THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION IN THESE AREAS. THESE CHAPTERS SERVE AS A CRITICAL EARLY WARNING SYSTEM FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES VIOLATIONS/CONCERNS AND OFTEN PRODUCE IMPORTANT PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT MIGHT BE FEDERAL, STATEWIDE, OR LOCAL. FINALLY, THE CHAPTERS SERVE AS REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE ACLU IN THESE COMMUNITIES, RAISING OUR PROFILE BY PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL ACTIVITIES, FROM MARCHES AND PARADES TO DEMONSTRATIONS AND FARMERS MARKETS. THE CHAPTERS ALSO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE AS CONDUITS TO LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MAYORS, POLICE LEADERS, AND OTHERS. DURING THIS YEAR, EACH OF THE CHAPTERS ADDRESSED LOCAL PROPOSALS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEMS IN THEIR COMMUNITY; CHAPTER MEMBERS REACHED OUT TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO SHARE ACLU CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY RAISED BY THE SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, CHAPTER MEMBERS FOCUSED ON WAYS TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRETRIAL FAIRNESS ACT, ENDING THE USE OF MONEY BOND IN ILLINOIS. WE ALSO HAVE SEEN NEW LOCAL GROUPS SUPPORTING THE ACLU FORM IN SEVERAL ILLINOIS LOCATIONS.
  Expenses $44,330

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in March, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

27-1629328

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(4): Social welfare organization

Donations deductible

No

Exempt since

1972

Accounting year ends

March

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Group exemption

2131: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION INC

Assets (IRS master file)

$14,203,921

Income (IRS master file)

$5,598,278

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 27-1629328).

Questions about AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

What is the EIN of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION?

The employer identification number (EIN) of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION is 27-1629328.

Is AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4) since 1972.

Are donations to AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION tax-deductible?

No. The IRS master file says contributions to it are not deductible.

Which annual return does AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending March 31, 2026) is due August 17, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended March 2025.

Who is the principal officer of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION?

The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2025 names COLLEEN K CONNELL.

Who are the officers and directors of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION?

The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2025 lists 53 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $132,338 (COLLEEN CONNELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).

How much revenue does AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION have?

On its 990 for the year ended March 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,575,980, expenses of $2,046,480 and total assets of $14,203,921 at year end.

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