SPRINGFIELD — As a champion of free speech and the right to protest, State Senator Graciela Guzmán released the following statement in support of House Bill 2723 and Senate Bill 2462, also known as the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act, which would lift state pension investment restrictions placed on companies engaged in boycotts of Israel, following a press conference hosted by the Illinois Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR) on the legislation:

“It is unconscionable that in Illinois, we are punishing businesses that are expressing their basic constitutional rights. Boycotting is an expression of free speech, and limiting that through legislation is dangerous. Overturning this law is long past due, and with it Illinois can live up to its legacy as a state that champions freedom, human rights and basic principles of decency.

“Moreover, it is our duty as moral people to call out any person, organization or state for violating human rights, and the state of Israel should not be protected in Illinois from this scrutiny. It is important now more than ever for our state to take a stance against the actions of the state of Israel, and this humanitarian crisis, which has cost the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians.

“This law has also harmed our fellow Illinoisans, who have missed out on more than $149 million in the past five years because of these investment restrictions. We need to reprioritize our investments to align with our values, and in doing so, will be able to reap more economic benefits.

“I am thankful for State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid’s leadership on this issue, and his personal perspective as a Palestinian American lawmaker. I am proud to stand in solidarity with him, ICHR, and many more colleagues and advocates who are moved by our humanity to fight against this outdated measure.”

House Bill 2723 and Senate Bill 2462 are awaiting committee assignment in their respective chambers.