Springfield, IL - Jewish Leaders Still Upset, But Governor Defends Actions On Commission

Springfield, IL - Early last month five Jewish members resigned from the Governor's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, rather than serve alongside an aide to Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader known for his attacks on Jews.
They said Sister Claudette Muhammad, the Nation of Islam's chief of protocol, should be removed from the commission. But Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said that he didn't realize he had appointed her to the panel until afterward, and said Muhammad is not responsible for Farrakhan's remarks.

As Jewish leaders expressed lingering concerns Wednesday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich played down the controversy over the state commission on discrimination and said he is making progress in secret meetings meant to ease racial tensions. "I think it's working well," Blagojevich said. "It's been sort of below the radar screen, and I think, frankly, that's probably the right way to do it as some of the wounds from what happened before heal."

The Democratic governor wouldn't say who he has met with, what they talked about or how the talks are supposed to bridge divisions that he says were exposed during the furor over the commission.

Several Jewish leaders say they have not been contacted to take part in the talks, and they feel Blagojevich has not addressed the issues raised by the hate crimes controversy. "There is a great disappointment and hurt in the Jewish community in Illinois with regard to this matter," said one of the Jewish community leaders.