HR0756 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0756 LRB103 40539 ECR 73049 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Jewish people have long been subjected to prejudice, hate, and violence, including the recent attack by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis as well as widespread sexual violence and kidnappings; and

WHEREAS, The nation of Israel responded to the unprovoked attack by launching an anti-terrorist operation in the territory of Gaza, the place from which Hamas orchestrated the attack, a decision that has been criticized due to the unfortunate humanitarian consequences of the operation; and

WHEREAS, Students at colleges and universities around the country, including the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and others, have been participating in protests supporting the terrorists that attacked innocent civilians on October 7, 2023, often chanting slogans calling for the genocide of the Jewish people; and

WHEREAS, Protesters at Columbia University recently stormed Hamilton Hall, an academic building on campus named after Alexander Hamilton, and occupied it for almost 24 hours before police in riot gear were called on campus and arrested 110 of the protesters who had barricaded themselves in the building; and

WHEREAS, Police breached and dismantled a pro-Palestine encampment on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles after protesters physically attacked counter demonstrators supporting Israel; and

WHEREAS, School administrators have, in many cases, appeased the student protesters, tolerating their actions as they block access to facilities, harass their fellow students, and otherwise disrupt the learning environment on campus; and

WHEREAS, Many affected schools have been forced to hold classes virtually due to the widespread violence, and many schools have chosen to delay or otherwise alter plans for the upcoming commencement ceremonies celebrating the class of 2024's graduation; and

WHEREAS, Northwestern University in Evanston has rewarded the agitators by offering free tuition to protesters of Palestinian descent and allowing them to continue their disruptive behavior through June 1; and

WHEREAS, Since the protests began, over 1,900 protestors have been arrested nationwide for charges, including trespassing, vandalism, disorderly conduct, assault, and battery, among others; however, this amounts to only a small portion of the people nationwide breaking the law in solidarity with terrorists; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we condemn the violent behavior of the pro-Hamas protestors, and we encourage university officials to take immediate action against them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the General Assembly to propose legislation that would withhold public funding from institutions of higher educations that negotiate with anti-Semitic groups and for Governor JB Pritzker to sign that legislation into law; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent to House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, and Governor JB Pritzker.