Illinois

Chicago Jewish theater drops Naomi Ragen play, says actors feared repercussions of working with her

Ragen told JTA that while it is “strange to get such a response from a Jewish venue,” particularly one whose mission statement includes Holocaust education, she is not angry.

|ByLIANNE KOLIRIN/JTA
Portrait of Israeli writer Naomi Ragen, in Jerusalem, April 23, 2004.
Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate near the Consulate General of Israel during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois; Illustrative.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Chicago's Israeli consulate to protest settler violence

Protesters chanted “Israel out of Palestine, long live the intifada,” "From the river to the sea, Palestine is almost free," and "Netanyahu, you will see, Palestine will be free." 

|ByALEX CARSON
Daniel Biss speaks to supporters after winning the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th congressional district, March 17, 2026.

Jewish progressive prevails in closely watched Illinois primary, blasting AIPAC in victory speech

"AIPAC found out the hard way: the 9th District is not for sale," Daniel Biss said during his victory address.

|ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA
A view of the dome of the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, September 19, 2025.

Illinois Senate candidate Robin Kelly says Israel committed ‘genocide’ in Gaza

“It may not have started off being like that, but I believe that is what it turned into,” said Kelly, who in August 2025 cosponsored an act to withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel.

|ByJOSEPH STRAUSS/JTA

New Jersey fails to enforce anti-BDS law with Danish bank

Danske Bank, sanctioned by New York, seeks business with Iran.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017ByBENJAMIN WEINTHAL
LEBANESE STUDENTS hand out buttons encouraging a boycott of Israel.