Whether pension plans established by religiously affiliated health care providers are exempt as “church plans” from federal law protecting employees’ pension rights and retirement benefits.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Illinois, and Mayer Brown LLP filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Students A, B, and C, through their Parents and Legal Guardians, and the Illinois Safe School Alliance. The intervention comes after an effort to reverse an agreement reached between suburban Chicago High School District 211 and the U.S. Department of Education after a complaint filed by Student A, a female student in the District, resulted in her being permitted to use the locker room consistent with her gender identity. The lawsuit, filed by District 211 community members labeling themselves as Students and Parents for Privacy, seeks to block Student A and other transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity.

On behalf of nine Illinois couples seeking recognition for their shared love and commitment, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Illinois have filed a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of Illinois' law that denies gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry. Currently, Illinois law excludes gay and lesbian couples from the recognition and protections that come with the universally recognized relationship status of marriage, and limits them instead to a separate civil union status.