1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I urge you to oppose HB2723, which would repeal Illinois’ long-standing anti-BDS statute. The existing law reflects a bipartisan commitment to ensuring that state funds are not used to support discriminatory commercial boycotts against Israel, a close U.S. ally and major trading partner of Illinois. Repealing this policy would undermine that principle and send a troubling signal that our state is willing to tolerate economic discrimination. The BDS movement does not merely criticize specific policies; it seeks to isolate Israel economically, academically, and culturally. In practice, these boycotts often spill over into discrimination against Jewish individuals and institutions, contributing to a climate in which antisemitism is rising nationwide. Illinois should be moving toward stronger protections for vulnerable communities, not dismantling safeguards that help prevent state complicity in such efforts. The current law does not restrict free speech. Individuals and organizations remain free to express their views and advocate for any political position. It simply sets conditions on how taxpayer funds are invested and ensures that public resources are not used to support boycotts that target a nation and, by extension, many members of a religious and ethnic community. Illinois has benefited economically and technologically from cooperation with Israel in fields such as medicine, agriculture, water management, and high technology. Weakening our state’s stance risks damaging these mutually beneficial partnerships and diminishing Illinois’ reputation as a reliable and principled partner in global commerce. At a time of heightened polarization and increased antisemitic incidents, maintaining the anti-BDS law affirms that Illinois stands firmly against discrimination and supports constructive engagement over economic warfare. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to vote NO on HB2723 and keep Illinois’ anti-BDS protections in place.