As a longtime supporter of the Anti-Defamation League and as a board member of ADL Midwest, I am opposed to the national ADL position and messaging about the imprisonment of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. His arrest, detention and imprisonment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unconstitutional, as he is a legal, permanent resident of the U.S. I write today with my Jewish and American values to say, “Not in my name.”
ADL’s approach undermines our precious First Amendment rights. By siding with the Trump administration, the ADL puts freedom of speech and the right to protest at risk for all of us.
While I am vehemently opposed to Khalil’s reprehensible positions and actions, his arrest and proposed deportation are unconscionable.
Advocating positions the administration opposes is not a crime. The Trump policies on this and other issues are merely a bully’s excuse to intimidate any who oppose the administration.
I am concerned by the ADL’s agreement with the right-wing Heritage Foundation position. ADL’s position is disappointing to me and a substantial percentage of Jews and the majority of others in this country.
It’s ironic that Donald Trump and his administration are suddenly targeting antisemitism at a time when the far right, including the president, have shown historic hatred and callous indifference to discrimination and antisemitism.
As was recently stated by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and appeared in the pages of the New York Times, “Our community should not be used as an excuse to upend democracy and the rule of law.”
I joined the ADL board because it tirelessly and successfully recognizes, addresses, roots out and prevents antisemitism. But this current short-sighted position violates our moral compass, our core Jewish principles and our First Amendment rights.
Hedy M. Ratner, Streeterville
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OK with ‘road usage charge’
As an electric vehicle owner, I support taxing vehicles based on miles driven to fund road maintenance and public transportation. This tax should be indexed to vehicle weight, since heavier vehicles — including EVs and large SUVs — cause more infrastructure damage. But we should maintain and increase the gasoline tax to address emissions-related health impacts and climate change. These two taxes would encourage the purchase of lighter, more efficient vehicles of all types.
Tom McDougal, South Kenwood
Braiding my sister’s hair shouldn’t require government permission
I always knew my Saturday would be spoken for when my phone would buzz with a YouTube hair tutorial from my younger sister.
Hair braiding was our love language. It’s difficult to imagine if I did the same thing in my living room today, I could face large fines. That’s because I recently moved from Kansas to Illinois, one of only 14 states that requires a license to braid hair.
It doesn’t matter if I’ve done it before. It doesn’t matter that she’s my sister. It doesn’t matter if she isn’t paying me.
These kinds of restrictions are more than just silly government inconveniences; they impose lasting harm on families and professionals. It’s past time lawmakers removed these burdensome, expensive regulations that deter entrepreneurs and disproportionately punish Black residents.
After reforms in 2011, a hair braiding license can now be earned with 300 hours of classroom and practical experience. It used to require 1,500 hours. It’s an improvement, but it’s not enough.
Hair braiding isn’t a dangerous process. All of the materials are available at a beauty supply store. Frequently, it’s an entirely natural, protective style. Interventions such as these are about government control, not safety.
The more restrictions and requirements placed on workers to be hair braiders the fewer their numbers. That reduces options for Illinois families while likely driving up prices. For entrepreneurs, it’s either risk illegal activity or pay a hefty fee to learn a practice historically taught by families and friends.
Hair braiding is especially important for Black communities. Removing the remaining government oversight for hair braiding could create jobs and more economic opportunity for Black Illinoisans — for which Illinois ranks last.
The best way forward is for lawmakers to eliminate all licensing requirements for hair braiding and the unnecessary fines that cost offenders up to $5,000. This would bring Illinois in line with other states.
It shouldn’t stop with hair braiding. Illinois lawmakers must reform the existing licensing system that’s expensive, for-profit and filled with time-intensive — and often ineffective — schooling. Illinois could instead expand apprenticeships for barbers and other professionals that would allow people to learn hair braiding and similar cosmetology trades through paid, hands-on training. House Bill 3533 offers that opportunity.
It’s time lawmakers embrace the cultural significance of hair braiding and eliminate the licensing requirements for this important profession.
LyLena D. Estabine researcher, housing policy and poverty alleviation at the Illinois Policy Institute, Lincoln Park
Democrat leaders: Stand up
Kudos to letter writer Lawrence E. Bonk for being right on with his suggestions for the Democratic Party to look to Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod specifically. Unfortunately, I have heard nothing from most Democrats who were in power at one time, ex-presidents, vice presidents, senators and House members. The Democratic Party is silent. Are they too afraid of Donald Trump and complicit with his destruction of our country and U.S. Constitution?
Ronald H. Rodriguez, North Center