Illinois - Governor Stumped by Hate Crimes Panel

Illinois - Last week two Jewish members of the Governor's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes resigned rather than serve alongside an aide to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, known for his disparaging remarks about Jews and whites as was reported on VOS IZ NEIAS.

The naming of a Nation of Islam official to a commission that fights discrimination has exploded into an election-year furor for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, putting him in the middle of a conflict among blacks and Jews.

Even if the Governor makes his way through the racial and religious minefield this issue presents, his claim of ignorance about the appointment could reinforce his image of a detached, uninformed governor.

"No matter what he does, he's going to tick somebody off," Rick Garcia, political director said, "It's completely a no-win situation."