The Shrubtown cartoon is an irreverent look at Oak Park and our foibles. Sometimes it hits the ball out of the park; sometimes it swings and misses.
The Sept. 2 cartoon was a swing and a miss. It suggests that the Nov. 3 referendum is about something 6,000 miles away — something Oak Parkers can’t do anything about and that doesn’t really affect us.
Here’s the actual Nov. 3 referendum question: “Should the State of Illinois repeal laws that ban state investment in businesses that boycott the State of Israel?”
Strike 1: This referendum is about an Illinois law. We are Illinois taxpayers, and in November we will be voting on the referendum while electing state officials. The referendum’s goal is to urge our four state legislators to join 37 of their colleagues in supporting repeal of the Rauner-era 2015 anti-boycott law.
Strike 2: In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously recognized boycotts as protected speech. The ACLU of Illinois has also argued that Illinois’ anti-boycott law violates the First Amendment. Why shouldn’t Oak Park voters be part of the statewide movement to correct this legislative error?
Strike 3: Oak Park residents include state employees and retirees who depend on state pensions. Pension investment decisions should be based on sound financial considerations — not on singling out one country, Israel, for special protection from boycotts.
Sometimes, even the best batters have an off day. Sept. 2 was one such day for Shrubtown.
Dean Christ
Oak Park