Photo Credits: Shaina Benhiyoun

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Agudath Israel of Illinois’ (AIOI) annual Springfield Mission is back, and as usual started before dawn. Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI’s director of government affairs, led the mission, consisting of a representative group of nearly 50 members of Illinois’ Orthodox Jewish community, with one common goal: advocating for and representing the Orthodox Jewish community of Illinois.

The delegation, consisting of rabbis and lay leaders, nonprofit executives, school leaders and scholarship parents, and community members from different neighborhoods and districts, had a full schedule of productive and well attended meetings with many legislators. After a flurry of breakout meetings upon their arrival, the entire delegation met with House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. That was followed by an address from the Director of Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) General David Harris, and Terry Horstman, IDOR’s director of communications and manager of the Invest in Kids Act scholarship program. The group later met with Senate and House Republican leaders Dan McConchie and Jim Durkin.

One highlight of the day was meeting with Governor JB Pritzker. The delegation discussed the situation in Ukraine and thanked him for his support and commitment to fighting antisemitism, most recently demonstrated by including $20 million in funding for a state security grant program in his budget proposal and assisting with coordinating law enforcement resources. Another highlight of this year’s mission was creating history with the first Daf Yomi Siyum at the Illinois State Capitol, which took place during a lunch reception.

This year’s agenda focused on two of the pillars of every community: safety, and education. Enacted in 2018, Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program, the Invest in Kids Act (IIKA) has been transformative for the community, its schools, and most importantly, its children. AIOI has been advocating for program enhancements and discussed these proposed adjustments during their meetings. With antisemitic incidents rising across the country, including recent incidents in the Orthodox neighborhoods of Chicago, AIOI has been advocating for security funding. School transportation, important for both education and safety, was another priority discussed with elected officials. A state grant to subsidize AIOI’s school transportation program is vital for it to continue.

“While the real success can only be measured in hindsight, in terms of the impact it seemed to have made, this may have been our best one yet,” said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka. “When everyday constituents are willing to make the long trip to the Capitol and share their stories, it leaves an impression and empowers us to advocate on their behalf.”

“Rabbi Soroka gave all of us the opportunity to see firsthand the impact and influence of Agudah’s advocacy on behalf of our community,” said attendee Moshe Siegal. “I think it was evident to all how Agudah is effectively representing our community’s needs in a professional and meaningful way.”

“The impact of Rabbi Soroka’s advocacy over the last few years was apparent from the deep respect and close relationship he enjoys with Springfield lawmakers,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of state relations for Agudath Israel of America. “The elected officials were familiar with Agudah’s priorities and many of them commended Rabbi Soroka’s exemplary representation of the community.”