The advisory referendum question is simply put, yet packs emotion on a global scale for many in the village of Oak Park.
Should the state of Illinois repeal laws that ban state investment in businesses that boycott the state of Israel?
Bills in the state Senate and House of Representatives that would amend the Illinois Pension Code to remove the requirement to include businesses that boycott Israel on its list of restricted companies for investment has been a hot topic for months.
Supporters say Oak Park state pensioners have lost millions due to the advent of the 2015 law under former Gov. Bruce Rauner that instituted the requirement to bar pension fund investment in companies that boycott or divest from Israel for any reason, including human rights concerns.
With Nov. 3 general election day little more than a week away, those for and against the referendum have been making their case to residents in many ways, including going door to door, private coffee and wine get-togethers and other community events.
For example, Oak Parkers for Free Speech, which brought forth the question earlier this year, will be hosting the documentary “Boycott” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Oak Park Public Library. The guest speaker will be attorney Dima Khalidi, founder of Palestine Legal, who is in the documentary and will talk about how the state law shields Israel from boycott.
“People are saying this only affects corporations,” said Oak Park resident Haj Mohammed-Herbert, a Palestinian American who attended school in the West Bank as a youth and has lived in Oak Park for 20 years. “And this is showing you that it doesn’t just affect corporations, because two of the people affected were American. It goes to show you how it can harm the average small business.”
Oak Park Neighbors United, which opposes the referendum, will have a presence at village hall for Sunday’s Roll to the Polls early voting event, answering questions.
But the predominantly Jewish group is also planning a private get-out-the-vote event this week. The event is private out of an abundance of caution.
“We need to be able to know we’re going to be safe,” said Rebekah Grossman, a member of Oak Park Neighbors United’s steering committee. She has also attended two wine nights, again private, that discussed the referendum question, how it got on the ballot and why residents should vote no.
“Some people feel better in their own environment,” Grossman said. “It’s been empowering.”
Oak Parkers for Free Speech will also have a presence at village hall for Roll to the Polls, handing out pamphlets and answering questions, according to member Jesse Bauer.
“We’re definitely going to have tons of people out this weekend, knocking on doors and hanging door hangers and we’ve got people signed up for shifts to be at village hall and handing out palm cards and answering questions,” he said.
Not surprisingly, both groups have made a strong effort in canvassing in the village and Saturdays at the Oak Park Farmers Market, not only to make their individual case about voting yes or no but introducing some to the fact that the measure is even on the ballot. Some think the referendum is related to the village’s recent zoning discussions.
“It makes sense,” Grossman said. “That’s what everyone is talking about. Then you say there is actually not a zoning referendum. When I read to them what’s on the ballot, their eyes roll back.
“I’ve had somebody say, ‘I don’t want to talk to you, Israel is committing genocide,’” she said. Her response is simple. “That’s not what I’m there for. My goal is to get the word out that this is a thing.”
That differs somewhat with Bauer’s experience canvassing.
“Definitely I think most of the folks I’ve talked to recently have been aware of it, which for us is a huge victory,” he said. “We brought the profile of this issue up. I wouldn’t say overwhelmingly the community supports a yes vote and a repeal. We’ve definitely heard from no folks. People have different reasons for that.”
Mark Segal is a spokesperson for Oak Park Neighbors United. In a statement to Wednesday Journal, he said the group has been “working hard to connect with our neighbors before election day to explain why they should vote ‘no’ on the Israel boycott referendum.
“Our committed local volunteers are going door to door and receiving welcoming, positive reactions,” he said. “Oak Parkers instinctively understand that this referendum divides us and makes many Oak Parkers feel unwelcome. They don’t understand an advisory referendum on Middle East politics and not a real vote on the proposed zoning overhaul.”
Additionally, he said the group is active in online groups and social media.
Both entities have also placed advertisements in Wednesday Journal and urged supporters to send letters to the editor of the Journal.
Caren Van Slyke of Oak Parkers for Free Speech expects a bump in voters due to the midterm elections. Should the referendum pass, Bauer said the Cook County clerk will certify the results.
“We as advocates will take those results to our (legislative) representatives here in Oak Park and really push them to become involved publicly on the issue,” he said.
“Our hope is that we have a large victory and we’re taking the results to them and saying, ‘Your constituents really want you to act on this, please be a part of bringing this to the floor and passing this legislation.’”