Muslim Lobby Day in Illinois

Muslim Lobby Day in Illinois

Written by David E. Smith and Kathy Valente

The 9th annual Illinois Muslim Action Day was held this past week at our state Capitol. Organized by The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), followers of Islam gathered to engage with state lawmakers. According to their website, the event aims to

amplify the voices of the Muslim minority, build stronger relationships with civic and faith partners, and lobby for bills that impact the community and society at large.

Their legislative goals include:

Strengthening the Illinois TRUST Act to further limit law enforcement collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Note: IFI opposes the Illinois Trust Act that prohibits Illinois law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents who are protecting the citizens they’re sworn to protect.
HB 2723 – anti-Israel legislation that removes the wording in the Illinois Pension Code that prohibits the Illinois’ Investment Policy Board from investing in companies that boycott Israel. Note: The BDS movement—short for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions—seeks to economically punish the nation of Israel over its presence in what they claim to be Palestinian territories.

HB 4674 – legislation on bullying to establish escalating interventions for students who engage in known, pervasive, and persistent bullying. HB 4674 includes “sexual orientation, gender-related identity or expression,” behaviors which are strongly opposed by Islam, which makes one wonder what other underlying reasons Muslims would have to support this bill.

HB 5560 – every elementary school will be required to establish a violence prevention program and teach students grief literacy and restorative justice practices through social and emotional learning standards and provide “access to school-based healing and counseling resources.” This is yet another step toward turning schools into de facto mental health centers—often guided by ideological frameworks many parents do not share. It raises the question: why would Muslims support this bill?

SB 3361 – legislation to protect students’ rights to maintain religious hairstyles and dress practices without restriction. This legislation is sponsored by State Senator Mike Simons (D-Chicago), a self-identifying Ethiopian-American who wears his hair in “freeform locs” (also known as “dreadlocks”).
Advocating for education reform, refugee services, and language programs.
Promoting environmental initiatives, such as the “Green Ramadan” resolution.

Unpacking It

According to one report, Illinois is home to an estimated 473,792 Muslims, representing about 3.7% of the state’s population. The Muslim Civic Coalition reports that roughly half of Muslims in Illinois were born outside the United States, and 69% identify as Sunni:

It is no surprise that with the growing population of Muslims in Illinois that we now have two Muslim members of the Illinois General Assembly: Representatives Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Berwyn) and Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). Rashid is reported to be the first Palestinian American to serve in the state legislature, while Syed, an Indian American who wears a hijab, is among the youngest women ever elected to the General Assembly. Both began their terms in January 2023.

Muslim communities are growing and becoming more concentrated in certain areas, bringing their cultural and religious practices with them, including Sharia. In the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, that influence is undeniable, as village officials recently approved signage on Harlem Avenue recognizing the area as “Little Palestine.”

We should also not be surprised that 58% of the Muslim identify as Democratic, and 38% identify as independent. Additionally, the Muslim Civic Coalition reports that 3% of Muslims now identify as LGBTQ, compared to 13% of the Illinois general public.

Gregory Abdullah Mitchell, CIOGC Executive Director, spoke at their press conference in the Capitol on Wednesday, April 15th. He spoke of their concern about protecting youth, being “very vocal, supportive, of issues important to our community.” “More specifically,” he continued, they are “advocating on behalf of Muslims in Gaza…”

Mitchell then tied that into anti-bullying legislation, saying:

So how does that weave into what we’re talking about protecting our youth? Well, we’ve seen how they’ve been victimized, doxed and harassed, and in some instance, their future is being jeopardized, but it’s not just at the college level. It also descends down into the secondary schools as well as elementary schools. And what do the statistics say? The Illinois Department of Public Health, their director, has declared an epidemic in Illinois schools as it relates to the issue of suicide.

…So as minorities, you feel the brunt of harassment, bullying, more so than any other groups, but it isn’t, as we say it, it is a trauma experience and it extends beyond the victim self. It extends to those who are bystanders, who may now become fearful and even speaking up. We as a community must change this culture. So what we are doing today is saying to the Illinois community, we must take a change and stand against bullying, harassment in the schools. Our agenda is directed at that…

Don’t miss what Mitchell said: “We as a [Muslim] community must change this culture.” While he was addressing bullying—which should never be tolerated—his statement raises a broader concern and exposes their end goal. Islam, through its political framework of Sharia, seeks to shape society and culture. Advancing victim narratives, supporting so-called “hate” crimes, and expanding government authority serve as means to that end.

As Pastor Paul Blair points out in his 7 part series, Islam is not merely another faith option in America’s pluralistic landscape. It is a political system wrapped in religious language — built for dominance, not peaceful coexistence. Are we paying attention?