Across the country — and in Oak Park — the people have spoken.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 was an astonishing night across the country — and in our Oak Park community. Voters stood up for the values and issues that matter. We sent a clear message to the political forces that would repress our rights and to those who have refused to challenge them: This is a new day.
In that spirit, we celebrate Oak Park’s support for the advisory referendum calling for the repeal of Illinois’ anti-boycott law. Singling out Israel for protection from the constitutional right to boycott its human rights violations has been a stain on our state’s legislative record. On Tuesday night, voters in Oak Park, as well as all seven other Illinois municipalities that had similar measures on their ballots, approved advisory referendums calling for the law’s repeal.
To support the referendum, a diverse coalition of Oak Parkers came together around a shared goal: educating our community and organizing to defend the First Amendment, human rights, and the long-term financial well-being of our state’s pension fund and its pensioners.
For two years, Oak Park community members worked with the Illinois Coalition for Human Rights to support legislation in Springfield to repeal the anti-boycott law. We had met with our state senators and representatives, both in Springfield and in their district offices, to urge their support.
We were also part of a statewide movement that gathered 15,000 witness slips in support of the repeal legislation.
Despite these efforts, our two state senators, Harmon and Lightford, and our two state representatives, Ford and Lilly, had not joined the 37 legislators, the Progressive Caucus, and the chairs of the Black, Hispanic, and Asian caucuses who supported the repeal bills.
So in May, we decided it was time to go beyond the lobbyists and politicians and take the issue directly to the voters — their constituents.
The advisory referendum passed overwhelmingly. Now it is time to turn that advisory vote into legislative action.
On Wednesday, the day after the referendum passed, we contacted senators Harmon and Lightford and representatives Lilly and Ford, urging them to listen to the voices of their constituents and publicly support the repeal legislation — HB 2723 and SB 2462 —before the end of this legislative session.
These bills must be brought to the floors of their respective chambers and put to a vote.
We want to thank the hundreds of supporters who put in countless hours talking with thousands of community members about this important issue. Our movement is as diverse as Oak Park itself — united in our commitment to our democratic rights and justice for all.
We also thank the thousands of Oak Parkers who engaged with us at the many community events, house parties, or just in neighborly conversations. You embody the unity, empathy and support for human rights that Oak Park stands for. These human connections and new friendships are our biggest gain.
Our work to oppose the anti-boycott law will continue until it is repealed. We invite everyone who wants to be part of this effort to join us. Contact us at opfreespeech@gmail.com to continue the work.
The voters of Oak Park have spoken. Now it’s time for our elected representatives in Springfield to listen — and act.
OAK PARKERS FOR FREE SPEECH