HB2723 hearing coming up — take action to protect free speech and oppose anti-BDS laws.
Earlier, our community mobilized in a major way for the witness slips and supporters outnumbered opponents. That showed the strength of our voices. Now, we have another opportunity to push this bill forward.
At this stage, community outreach matters more than ever. Legislators need to hear directly from their constituents — especially those who may still be undecided on supporting the bill.
HB2723 is about protecting lawful political expression, opposing anti-BDS investment restrictions, and restoring viewpoint neutrality in state policy.
Click here to learn more about BDS: https://bit.ly/hb2723info
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• Use the email and call templates provided
Find your legislator here: https://ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator
Every email, phone call, and conversation makes a difference. We saw the impact our community had with the witness slips, passing the opposition by thousands of submissions — now let’s keep the momentum going and help get this bill passed.
[LEGISLATOR NAME]
Representative of the [DISTRICT NUMBER] District of Illinois
[OFFICE ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Subject: Support to Protect Free Speech and Restore Neutral State Investment Policy
Dear Representative [LAST NAME],
I am writing as a constituent to urge your support for pending legislation that would remove state-level investment prohibitions based solely on an entity’s lawful political expression.
Economic boycotts have long been recognized as a constitutionally protected form of speech. The BDS movement is an economic boycott, and as our representative, I ask that you protect this expression of free speech.
Current Illinois law classifies entities that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement in the same category as organizations involved in illegal or unethical conduct. This comparison creates a policy inconsistency and discourages lawful civic engagement.
HB2723 does not mandate support for any political cause. Instead, it restores viewpoint neutrality by ensuring that state investment decisions are guided by fiduciary standards and financial performance — not political beliefs.
I view BDS as a humanitarian, nonviolent advocacy movement responding to concern for Palestinian human rights. Others may disagree with these views, but disagreement does not justify governmental punishment of speech.
Finally, the significant public participation surrounding this bill underscores the need for open debate and a full vote of the legislative body. Decisions of this magnitude deserve transparent consideration.
I respectfully urge you to support legislation that protects free expression, maintains consistent policy standards, and affirms democratic accountability.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
[CITY/TOWN]
[EMAIL ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER]
Hello, my name is [NAME], and I am a constituent from [CITY/TOWN].
I’m calling to urge Representative/Senator [NAME] to support HB2723.
This bill is about protecting free speech and opposing anti-BDS investment restrictions that penalize lawful political expression. Economic boycotts have long been recognized as constitutionally protected speech, and state policy should remain viewpoint neutral.
Current Illinois law groups support for the BDS movement alongside illegal or unethical conduct, even though participation in political boycotts is lawful. HB2723 would restore fairness and ensure state investment decisions are based on financial standards rather than political beliefs.
Regardless of personal opinions on BDS or Middle East politics, people should not be penalized for lawful political advocacy.
I respectfully urge [Representative/Senator NAME] to support HB2723 and help protect free expression and democratic accountability in Illinois.
Thank you for your time.
