Building a More Welcoming Illinois: Muslim Advocates Lead Change

Advocates descend on the Illinois Capitol to call for welcoming legislation, equity for Muslims and immigrants.

Posted Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 7:34 pm CT

NAPERVILLE — At the heart of the Illinois State Capitol, the air was filled with purpose and solidarity as more than 200 Muslim advocates, faith leaders, lawmakers, and allies gathered for the 17th annual Illinois Muslim Action Day (IMAD). Hosted by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), the event was more than a day of legislative advocacy — it was a powerful demonstration of civic unity, moral clarity, and the enduring belief in justice for all.

The atmosphere was electric as speakers rose one by one to champion a legislative agenda rooted in compassion, inclusion, and reform. At the center of the event was a call to action: to build a truly "welcoming state" — not in name alone, but through law and lived reality.

From the Pulpit to the Podium

"Today is about action, unity, and making our voices heard," said CIOGC Chair Dr. Abdulgany Hammadeh as he welcomed the audience. Representing over 60 Muslim organizations, CIOGC has long stood as a beacon of civic engagement for Illinois’ diverse Muslim community. For Hammadi, IMAD is not just an annual event — it is a movement.

Executive Director Abdullah Mitchell laid out the vision: a legislative platform built on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s 2021 executive order that established Illinois as a welcoming state. “This is our duty — our obligation — to advocate for policies that serve the interests of all people in Illinois,” Mitchell declared.

And the message was clear: to be welcoming means to stand up for civil liberties, support the marginalized, and push back against creeping authoritarianism.

Policy Through the Lens of Justice and Mercy

Few speeches resonated as deeply as that of Dr. Rami Nashashibi, Executive Director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), who spoke on the proposed Clean Slate Initiative — a bill aimed at automatically expunging criminal records for eligible individuals.

“In our tradition, the throne of the Divine is upheld by mercy and justice,” he said. “To welcome the vulnerable is an expression of divine attributes. To offer a clean slate is to offer a future.”

Nashashibi cited the staggering reality: over 3 million Illinoisans have arrest or conviction records, and more than 1,300 laws continue to punish them long after they’ve served their time. The Clean Slate Act, backed by a bipartisan coalition, could change that. “Who among us does not need mercy?” he asked, the room silent in reflection.

Reverend Sierra Bates-Chamberlain of Live Free Illinois drove the point home with a human story. A woman denied housing due to an 18-year-old conviction. A system so burdened that it would take over 150 years to process all eligible expungements without reform. “We are calling for grace,” she said. “And grace is not a political issue — it’s a moral imperative.”

Advocating Against Injustice — From Palestine to Illinois

State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid took the microphone with a somber reminder of Illinois’ own record. “Ten years ago, our state became the first to punish advocacy for Palestinian human rights,” he said, referencing Illinois’ decision to divest from Ben & Jerry’s parent company after the ice cream maker chose to cease sales in Israeli settlements.

Rashid called on advocates to support the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462), aimed at repealing those punitive laws. “We must protect the right to dissent. We must protect free speech. That’s what democracy demands.”

Standing Up in Times of Fear

The urgency of this advocacy could not have been clearer for State Representative Nabeela Syed, who pointed to the recent abduction of a Muslim PhD student by plainclothes ICE agents, reportedly in retaliation for a public op-ed.

“In this moment, when free speech is being weaponized against us, we must stand up — not only for ourselves but for every neighbor, ally, and stranger at risk,” Syed said.

Her remarks reminded everyone of the stakes: that these issues transcend party lines, religion, and ethnicity. “A big part of our faith is caring for our neighbors. That’s what this is about.”

Beyond Bills: Building Equity into Infrastructure

Advocates also brought attention to the “Green Light the Green Line” campaign, a transportation justice initiative aimed at reopening long-shuttered CTA stations in Chicago’s South and West Sides. The campaign connects the fight for public transit access to broader health and economic disparities — such as the 32-year life expectancy gap between Englewood and Streeterville.

“The tracks are there. The stations are there. The people are waiting,” Nashashibi said. “It’s time to greenlight the green line.”

Defending Sanctuary, Funding Relief

Other legislative priorities included amendments to the Trust Act, meant to shield local police from being co-opted by federal immigration enforcement, and an increase in funding for immigrant and refugee support programs — from $38 million to $40 million.

State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray underscored the danger of federal overreach. “We cannot let Washington’s chaos reach Illinois,” she said. “The rule of law is critical — but so is the rule of compassion.”

The Power of Presence

Perhaps the most potent takeaway from Illinois Muslim Action Day was this: showing up matters. “Your presence here means everything,” Rashid told the crowd. “When you walk these halls and talk to lawmakers, you are shaping the future.”

In a time when civil liberties are under siege and democratic norms are being tested, IMAD stood as a powerful reminder that advocacy, rooted in faith and justice, can still move hearts — and move laws.

As the press conference closed and advocates fanned out to meet their representatives, one phrase seemed to linger in the air, repeated like a prayer and a promise:

“Together, we can build a more just and welcoming Illinois.”