The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois has been the principal protector of constitutional rights in the state since its founding in 1926. The ACLU, and its affiliated Roger Baldwin Foundation, are non-partisan, non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting the liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution, the state Constitution, and state/federal human rights laws. The ACLU accomplishes its goals through litigating, lobbying and educating the public on a broad array of civil liberties issues.