Open Government

In the road, a person in a dark suit with a hat appears to be joining a protest against police with a megaphone. A police car is to their left.

Transparency in government is essential to our democracy. The ACLU of Connecticut has worked to uphold this principle by opposing efforts to undermine Connecticut's Freedom of Information law and demanding government documents to contribute to public discourse. When an Enfield police officer was named in 11 excessive force lawsuits and the town tried to keep the lawsuit settlements secret, we took action before the state Freedom of Information (FOI) Commission and won. When the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs failed to respond adequately to our request for records about military sexual violence, we took them to court and won. By fighting for government transparency, we are working for a stronger democracy.

Since 2017, the ACLU of Connecticut has worked on Project Flashlight, a website publicly launched in 2022 that shines light on the ways Connecticut's more than 100 police agencies operate in secret. Information is power, and Project Flashlight works to get information to the people. The site’s first phase, in early 2022, included information about police contracts (collective bargaining agreements) and police commissions. In the coming years, this transparency website will add two more sections: use of force, which will include easy-to-navigate data about when police use force "likely to cause serious physical injury” (a definition that exists under state law); and suits and settlements, which will provide information about police who are sued for their conduct, and the outcome of those lawsuits.

The Latest

Publication
A black background. Bottom left, a statue of justice from behind, glowing. In the center, "Project Flashlight" is written, "project" in yellow and "flashlight" in white. Bottom right, the ACLU of Connecticut logo in white.

Project Flashlight

Shining a light on the ways that police operate in the shadows.
Press Release
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ACLU of Connecticut Statement on Court Decision Requiring Release of Video Showing the Death of J’Allen Jones in State Custody

Superior Court rules to publicly release video footage showing the death of J'Allen Jones inside Garner Correctional Institution, rejecting Attorney General's efforts to keep footage secret.
Issue Areas: Open Government
Court Cases: Richardson v. Semple
News & Commentary
There is a crowd of folks rallying for reproductive justice. The focus is on one femme-presenting person with a beanie and a sign up in the air that is a black poster that says "Our Voice is Our Power."

Slowing, Shutting Down, and Reversing Trump’s March to Autocracy

ACLU of Connecticut executive director David McGuire shares insight into how we can collectively act and organize to slow, shut down, and reverse the country's march towards autocracy under the Trump administration.
News & Commentary
A group of women are standing in a hearing room at the Capitol, holding signs that says "Undocumented + Unafraid" and "Strengthen the Trust Act Now!"

Reflecting on the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 legislative session has come to a close, and it was certainly a trying session for all. In a session where roughly 3,800 bills were introduced, only about 380 bills were passed, rounding up to a passing rate of about ten percent.
Legislation
Apr 05, 2023

HB 6916, An Act Concerning the Correction Advisory Committee

The ACLU-CT supports efforts to ensure that advisory boards and oversight committees are impartial from the government entities that they oversee.
Position: Support
Legislation
Apr 05, 2023

SB 1222, An Act Concerning Fees for Copying, Reviewing, and Redacting Records Created By Police Body-Worn Equipment and Dashboard Cameras

The public should never have to pay to access records kept by the government, and that includes recordings captured by police body and dashboard cameras.
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Apr 05, 2023

SB 1221, An Act Concerning the Enforcement of Violations of the Freedom of Information Act and Reporting Open Requests

Injustice thrives in the dark. The ability to shed sunlight on government action through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests is essential to holding public officials accountable and to preventing state-sanctioned discrimination, abuse, and mismanagement.
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 21, 2023

HB 6385, An Act Concerning State Agency Complaints Regarding Individuals or Groups to Social Media Platforms

The First Amendment is clear. Government actors and agencies cannot and should not censor people for disagreeing with them, whether that is at a town meeting, on a public sidewalk, or online.
Position: Oppose