Illinois Muslim Action Day: Faith Leaders, Lawmakers Unite for Justice

Muslims from the Chicago area came to Springfield this week to call for unity, understanding, welcoming policies.

Posted Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 7:24 pm CT

SPRINGFIELD — The 17th annual Illinois Muslim Action Day (IMAD), organized by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), brought together a powerful coalition of community leaders, state lawmakers, and faith-based advocates to the State Capitol on Wednesday. The gathering spotlighted an ambitious legislative agenda grounded in justice, compassion, and inclusivity.

Hosted by CIOGC, which unites over 60 Muslim institutions across Illinois, the event served as both a platform for civic engagement and a call to action. Dr. Abdulgany Hamadeh, CIOGC Chair, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of unity and advocacy. “Today is about action, unity, and making our voices heard on the issues that matter—from equality to protecting civil liberties and promoting justice for all,” Hamadeh stated.

Executive Director Abdullah Mitchell echoed those sentiments, connecting the organization’s efforts to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s 2021 executive order that declared Illinois a “welcoming state.” “Our advocacy is rooted in making this state welcoming to all, including the vulnerable and marginalized,” Mitchell said.

A Legislative Push for Equity

Among the top legislative priorities discussed:

• Clean Slate Initiative: Supported by both faith leaders and legislators, this initiative seeks to automatically expunge criminal records for eligible individuals, removing barriers to employment, housing, and education. Dr. Rami Nashashibi, Executive Director of IMAN (Inner-City Muslim Action Network), described the legislation as “a call for mercy and justice,” citing over 3 million Illinois residents with arrest or conviction records and over 1,300 laws that continue to punish them long after they’ve served their sentences.
• Trust Act Amendments: Championed by Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville), the bill aims to reinforce Illinois’s sanctuary policies by preventing state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE. “We must ensure Washington’s dysfunction doesn’t harm Illinois families,” she said.
• Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723/SB 2462): Introduced by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, the bill seeks to overturn past legislation that penalized advocacy for Palestinian human rights. “Punishing people for dissent violates the very principles of our democracy,” Rashid asserted, citing the retaliatory divestment from Ben & Jerry’s parent company for its stance on Israeli settlements.
• Immigration Support Funding: The CIOGC and its partners are pushing for an increase in state funding for immigrant and refugee services from $38 million to $40 million, reinforcing Illinois’s commitment to serving vulnerable communities.

A Call for Community Advocacy

State Rep. Nabeela Syed, one of the first Muslim women elected to the Illinois legislature, spoke passionately about the importance of advocacy in the face of growing threats to civil liberties. Referencing the recent detainment of a Muslim PhD student by ICE, Syed warned of the dangers of silencing free speech. “This is about standing up for our neighbors, for our community, and for what’s right,” she said.

Reverend Sierra Bates-Chamberlain of Live Free Illinois, a key ally in the Clean Slate initiative, shared a story of a mother denied housing due to a decades-old conviction, underscoring the urgent need for reform. “Some people need second chances. Some need first chances. What we all need is grace.”

Expanding the Vision

Beyond the legislative agenda, CIOGC leaders highlighted the “Green Light the Green Line” campaign, which advocates for reopening long-neglected CTA train stations in underserved neighborhoods like Englewood. “Transportation is a justice issue,” Nashashibi said. “It’s about access to opportunity and closing life expectancy gaps in our city.”

The press conference concluded with a resounding call for continued engagement. “We must remain active, loud, and united,” Rep. Stava-Murray urged. “Tyrants and bullies don’t win when we stand together.”

For more information on the legislative initiatives and how to get involved, visit www.ciogc.org.