Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois Senate Bill SR0191 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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3	3	1 SENATE RESOLUTION
4	4	2 WHEREAS, In the early 20th century, many Arab families
5	5	3 began migrating to southwestern Cook County seeking a better
6	6	4 life and the opportunity to build a supportive community in
7	7	5 the United States; these families have contributed to the rich
8	8	6 cultural landscape of Little Palestine, transforming it into a
9	9	7 beacon of hope and resilience; and
10	10	8 WHEREAS, Little Palestine, located in the southwestern
11	11	9 region of Cook County, is home to the largest Palestinian
12	12	10 community in the nation and the fourth largest Arab American
13	13	11 population in the country, spanning a five-mile stretch from
14	14	12 79th and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview to Harlem Avenue and
15	15	13 College Drive in Palos Heights; and
16	16	14 WHEREAS, Little Palestine features over 200 Arab-owned
17	17	15 businesses and community-serving institutions, including a
18	18	16 community college, a hospital, three high schools, and more
19	19	17 than 20 organizations and institutions; and
20	20	18 WHEREAS, Historic disinvestment in the Arab American
21	21	19 community, coupled with being targeted for discrimination and
22	22	20 hate crimes, threatens the sustainability and growth of this
23	23	21 area, with over 70% of Arab-owned businesses in Little
24	24	22 Palestine having under 10 employees and driving the economy in
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33	33	1 this region; and
34	34	2 WHEREAS, There has historically been no means to
35	35	3 distinguish Arab American populations, economic activity,
36	36	4 health, or any other indicators of Arab Americans on data
37	37	5 registers at local, state, or national levels; recent efforts
38	38	6 to include Arab Americans in data counts, achieved through
39	39	7 decades of mobilization within Arab American communities,
40	40	8 remain limited and often specific to certain locales; these
41	41	9 omissions hinder the ability to document critical issues such
42	42	10 as displacement and the impacts of COVID-19 and are an
43	43	11 impediment to ensuring that resources can be sought to help
44	44	12 revitalize the economic landscape of Little Palestine to
45	45	13 ensure sustainable growth and development; and
46	46	14 WHEREAS, The Arab American Business and Professional
47	47	15 Association, along with a coalition of organizations, is
48	48	16 advocating for the official recognition of Little Palestine
49	49	17 Day on the 7th day of April each year to help build cultural
50	50	18 awareness, increase tourism, and boost economic vitality in
51	51	19 this region; and
52	52	20 WHEREAS, Recognition of Little Palestine Day will help
53	53	21 serve as a celebration of the community's rich heritage,
54	54	22 promote solidarity among residents, and encourage support for
55	55	23 local businesses and cultural initiatives; and
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66	66	1 WHEREAS, The heart and soul of the Arab community lies in
67	67	2 its people, individuals who embody ambitions, creativity, and
68	68	3 aspirations that surpass the ordinary; their contributions
69	69	4 continue to reshape the narrative of the area, making it a
70	70	5 testament to hope, resilience, and cultural pride; therefore,
71	71	6 be it
72	72	7 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
73	73	8 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 7,
74	74	9 2025 and April 7, 2026 as "Little Palestine Day" in the State
75	75	10 of Illinois; and be it further
76	76	11 RESOLVED, That we urge Illinoisans to celebrate Little
77	77	12 Palestine Day by supporting businesses and cultural
78	78	13 initiatives in Little Palestine and attending or hosting
79	79	14 events showcasing the contributions of the Arab American
80	80	15 community to the United States; and be it further
81	81	16 RESOLVED, That we urge local schools and educational
82	82	17 institutions to incorporate lessons about the history and
83	83	18 contributions of the Arab American community into their
84	84	19 curricula, promoting inclusivity and understanding; and be it
85	85	20 further
86	86	21 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
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97	97	1 provided to the Arab American Business and Professional
98	98	2 Association as a symbol of our respect and esteem.
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