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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The now-closed campus theater stands May 20 at the corner of Blackhawk Road and West Hillcrest Road.

Revitalization continues with steering committee

By Noah Thornburgh | May 20, 2019

The now-closed campus theater stands May 20 at the corner of Blackhawk Road and West Hillcrest Road.

Timothy Killeen, University of Illinois System president, addresses the crowd Tuesday, in announcing the Illinois Innovation Network's partnership with NIU in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.

NIU to build $22.9M research center for sustainability

By Jessie Kern | October 11, 2018

Timothy Killeen, University of Illinois System president, addresses the crowd Tuesday, in announcing the Illinois Innovation Network's partnership with NIU in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.

FILE - In this Jan. 2018 file photo Jeanne Ives, Illinois Republican Gubernatorial primary candidate speaks to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board in Chicago. Gov. Bruce Rauner is trying to win a second term after becoming Illinois' first Republican governor in a decade with promises to shake up Springfield and pass a business-friendly agenda. But first he faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who jumped into the race after he angered conservatives with his actions on issues such as abortion and illegal immigration. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)

Illinois officials ignore prejudice

By Editorial Board | March 8, 2018

Elected officials should use their right of free speech when candidates who are attempting to unseat the representatives employ bigotry, hate and fear to win a race.

Republican Rep. Jeanne Ives has a bigoted political advertisement sarcastically “thanking” Gov. Bruce Rauner for his support of birth control, unions, sanctuary cities and for allowing grown men in dresses to use girls’ bathrooms, according to the BenedictRauner.com ad.

Ives mocked the transgender community and inflamed the bathroom debate by mischaracterizing Rauner’s support of House Bill 1785. The ad depicts a man wearing a dress thanking Rauner because he can now use the women’s bathroom. This representation is inflammatory as Ives is insinuating the transgender community is illegitimate and bills that grant them equal rights are just tools for illegitimate members of the trans community to be sexual predators.

House Bill 1785 actually amends the Vital Records Act. The bill requires those who have undergone “gender transition treatment” to have a licensed health care or mental health care professional make a declaration about the individual’s transition before issuing an updated birth certificate with their new gender and name, according to the bill.

When Ives’ decision to run the commercial and its intent were questioned, her spokesperson doubled down and said “she is not pulling the ad because she is not intimidated by Gov. Rauner and what she called his paid party mouthpieces,” according to a Feb. 3 WGN article.

What’s most interesting about Ives’ political ad is Rauner never publicly denounced her bigoted ad; he remained silent on the topic altogether.

While Ives is in her own right to say and think what she wants about the transgender community, her ad is not a true reflection of the bill passed by Rauner.

Elected officials especially Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner ,should be representing all communities, and Ives’ misleading attack against Rauner was also an attack against the very communities Illinois elected officials are supposed to represent.

The only way to combat an individual’s right to spew hate and bigotry is by using the same right to counter their words.

People in power have an obligation as elected officials to use their voice to represent people. By staying silent, they aren’t doing their job.

Erin Hernandez, Student Association director of Governmental Affairs, explains the importance of students engaging in elections, even at the university level.

Students have their voter questions answered

By Batul Cutlerywala | March 8, 2018

Erin Hernandez, Student Association director of Governmental Affairs, explains the importance of students engaging in elections, even at the university level.

Supreme Court hears union fees case

By James Krause | March 5, 2018

Oral arguments presented to the Supreme Court Feb. 26 could overturn a precedent requiring employees represented by unions pay union fees.The case brought to the high court is Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council...

Rauner’s budget proposal ‘concerning’ state university presidents

February 19, 2018

DeKALB — Gov. Bruce Rauner’s fiscal year 2019 budget included cuts to public schools’ pensions and health care expenses.During his Wednesday State of the Budget address, Rauner said pensions and employee group health expenses have grown, costing...

Gubernatorial candidate Ives calls out Rauner

By Michael Urbanec | February 5, 2018

DeKALB — Rep. Jeanne Ives met DeKalb residents Friday to discuss her strategies against Gov. Bruce Rauner in the upcoming primary election.The Republican gubernatorial candidate spoke and answered questions in front of 35 people packed into the back...

Rauner invests in candidacy

By Michael Urbanec | November 2, 2017

SPRINGFIELD — With primaries approaching in the spring, Republican gubernatorial candidates are beginning to gain speed in their respective campaigns for office.Gov. Bruce Rauner, the incumbent, will once again appear on the ballot for the primary election...

Pass/Fail: Legislators pass state budget and fund NIU; Costly review results in three-page report

IL budget passed; NIU sustains $65 million loss

By Morgan Fink | July 10, 2017

DeKALB — Legislators in Springfield passed a state budget after a nearly three-year impasse, providing NIU with full state funding for the first time since Fiscal Year 2015 at 10 percent less than the last complete appropriation.The budget was passed...

President to visit state lawmakers

By Lindsey Salvatelli | March 20, 2017

DeKALB — President Doug Baker delivered a report about legislative progress being made in Springfield during a March 9 Board of Trustees meeting.Baker said all presidents from Illinois universities were given a 20-hour notice to appear in front of the...

City Council discusses marijuana policy

By Julia Martinez | September 29, 2016

DeKALB | DeKalb City Council members discussed making the fine for possessing cannabis cheaper during a Monday City Council meeting at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.Chapter 52 of the DeKalb Municipal Code states that no person shall...