UPDATE: May 6, 12:42 p.m.
Illinois State Representatives Bob Morgan, Daniel Didech and Tracy Katz Muhl gave a press conference at the north end of the Main Quad in solidarity with Jewish students at the University.
The Daily Illini spoke with Morgan, representative for the 58th District, about antisemitism on university campuses and his conversations with the University administration.
**This interview has been edited for length and clarity.**
DI: What made you come down here today?
Morgan: As a U of I grad, I always want to come to campus, but in particular, since October 7, it’s been very difficult. Over the last six years since I’ve been the state representative, there have been a number of antisemitic incidents on campus — antisemitism happening outside of the classroom and more troubling inside the classroom. We’ve been working closely with University leaders, Hillel and Chabad to make sure we’re supporting any way we can. A lot of Jewish students that I hear from and their families are concerned about campus, concerned about finals, concerned about commencement and concerned about the world. It’s a little thing just showing up, but showing solidarity is something that we were able to do on our way to Springfield.
DI: You guys met with the University administration earlier. Can you tell me about those conversations you had?
Morgan: Without getting into specifics, we’ve had a lot of conversations over the last six years with the University, and I would say our message has been pretty consistent: reassuring the safety of Jewish students in the classroom first, on campus as well and doing what we can to make sure we are protecting students and protecting free speech, which at this moment is sometimes challenging. Commencement is again on the minds of a lot of families around not just the U of I campus but around the country, and just making sure the University is planning for that and doing its part to make sure Jewish students are feeling safe.
DI: Did you guys talk about the encampment during your meeting with the administration?
Morgan: Not particularly. Again, this is about Jewish students feeling safe on campus; that’s why we’re here. We can only do so much as people who are not students but people who are here to bring the weight of legislature and elected officials who are Jewish to show that we are paying attention and we care; we are thinking of them and showing them they are not alone. I remember — as a Jewish student — when the Intifada broke out, and there were very significant protests that happened on campus. There were Israeli flags that were burned and sprayed with red paint, there was a casket of a pretend baby carried around the campus, there were a lot of chants that were very harmful and there were swastikas that were put on campus. I remember what that feels like, and I remember the benefit and the importance of having those around me demonstrating that they’re there to support me and show that support; that’s what we’re doing.
