Illinois senators share stories of constituents, family impacted by Israel-Hamas war

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers were busy negotiating bills during the first week of veto session, but many were also thinking about the war in the Middle East. Some senators worked on behalf of Illinois residents kidnapped by Hamas and one had a family member escape Israel in a plane as missiles soared past. Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) allowed four senators to share what people in their districts are living through as they hope for a ceasefire.

It is sometimes hard to hear what members say on the floor while other lawmakers have side conversations and move around the chamber. However, you could hear a pin drop Wednesday while senators shared stories about how the war is impacting families at home.

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) said two of her constituents were held hostage by Hamas while visiting family in Israel. Thankfully, both of them were released. Although, Fine said people must remain hopeful for the return of more than 200 other hostages held captive by Hamas.

"Never again will we allow this kind of hatred and antisemitism that led to the murder of 6 million people in places like Auschwitz and Dachau," Fine stressed. "Our world has been shaken and forever changed. But we are resilient and we will go on."

Fine said it is important that Illinois lawmakers recognize that the conflict in the Middle East has torn a rift between people and communities across the state.

"I stand with my constituents, the Jewish community, and I stand with Israel in this critical moment," Fine said. "I also stand with the Palestinian civilians being used as human shields by Hamas. Those are not mutually exclusive."

She stressed that lawmakers must commit to fighting racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism in Illinois. 

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has a significant Jewish population in her district spanning the north side of Chicago. Feigenholtz told her colleagues that many of her constituents no longer feel safe. One of those residents is a Ukrainian American Jew who fled the former Soviet Union. Feigenholtz read a full letter from the woman expressing her fear of the current events with 40 relatives still living in Israel.

"When we called our cousins in the Old City, our hearts were shattered," Feigenholtz said. "One cousin had gone to the Nova music festival and was unaccounted for. We didn't know how he was, but we prayed for his safe return."

Unfortunately, that woman's family found out that her 23-year-old cousin was murdered along with 260 other people at the music festival. Feigenholtz said there must be consequences against those who preach and encourage violence.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) thought she was going to lose her son-in-law who traveled to Israel for a wedding. Tracy explained that he was able to find a flight out of the war zone as missiles were soaring past. 

"I felt so blessed. But yet, I felt so sorry," Tracy said. "The sorrow for those who were killed in that music fest and all the Israelis that were taken by surprise and terror and attack."

Many across the state are also mourning the loss of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian boy killed by his family's landlord. Wadea's mother was also stabbed multiple times.

"My heart breaks for this family and for his family and for the many people who fear for their life and safely solely because of their beliefs or the way they look," said Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

Cappel also said Illinoisans have to respect and honor every faith, race and religion.

Jewish and Palestinian residents continue to call and send letters to their lawmakers to express anger, sadness, and frustration over the hate crimes occurring across the country.

"A person's blood, a person's race, a person's religion, the color of their skin — it makes no sense to me how we discern that they're good or they're bad just because of that," Tracy said. "We have to do better."

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