Letters to the editor 5/22/25 | Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to [email protected].

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KEEP PROTESTING

I want to applaud Illinois Times for using good journalism to set the record straight about what U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did when she visited Springfield (“An insult to Emma’s memory,” May 8). Noem used Emma Shafer’s memory and tragic death in vain. It was a fear-mongering media stunt, and it was against the wishes of Emma’s own parents. The American public deserves to know every time MAGA uses another one of their immoral propaganda techniques, especially at the expense of a Springfield family’s recent loss and grief.

Further, thank you for highlighting in the article “Protests continue in Springfield” (May 8) how all pro-democracy Americans, including independent, liberal, apathetic or even traditionally conservative voters, are increasingly willing to show up for the peaceful and permitted protests at our beautiful Capitol. It is refreshing to see photos of our local citizens, who are of all ideologies and ages, uniting together to use their First Amendment rights. This is especially important when the current administration is abusing their powers and should be held accountable by us all.

Illinois Times noted Emma Shafer’s parents said “she dedicated her life, her career and her free time to causes of social justice and equity,” so frankly, I feel empowered to keep protesting MAGA locally with Emma’s story (and Noem’s distasteful actions) as further motivation. Hate and fear are not welcome here in Springfield. Thank you for this coverage.

Nicolette Maler
Springfield

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UNETHICAL

Using someone’s death to propel your own political agenda without consent from the family is gross and just unethical.

Betsy Slemmons Martin
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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FALSE ARGUMENT

Words cannot express my level of appalled. Also, if the argument here is that Emma’s murderer was an immigrant, he literally grew up in the U.S. Emma’s death was preventable, but her abuser being an immigrant is not the reason why she’s no longer alive.

Ayla McDonald
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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STOP COMPLAINING

Very classy, Springfield. Good to know we don’t like federal officials coming here. No coverage? You complain. Folks come? You complain. Typical Springfield.

Joe Ciszek
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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HONOR EMMA

I am friends with a lot of people who grew up with Emma and loved her very much. Sadly, I didn’t get to know her very well, but I am well aware of her mission to the community and how she would have wanted that mission upheld.

The people speaking out against immigration, and using her name to do so, are shameful keyboard warriors who would have stood opposite of Emma at any rally she attended. If you’re going to spout racial nonsense, you better stay far, far away from Emma’s name.

May we continue to honor her through our actions. She believed in the power of community, and so do I.

Cal Piland
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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CALL SEN. MCCLURE

I called state Sen. Steve McClure of Springfield to tell him how cruel, disgusting and immoral it was for him to stand by Kristi Noem as she bastardized the memory and work of Emma Shafer. I hope others will do likewise.

Tara McClellan McAndrew
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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THANKS FOR 50 YEARS

Thank you to Illinois Times and everyone associated with it, from the inaugural issue to its 50th anniversary (“A legacy and a vision,” May 1). Thank you for being part of what keeps Springfield from becoming a news desert. Thanks for enduring the constant pressure to suppress the free press. Thank you for providing us weekly information on issues that concern Springfield, news that concerns our nation, local history lectures, business, music, the environment, art and all of the community happenings available in the place we call home. Thank you for all 2,600 issues – stacked 51 feet tall (I did the math).

Illinois Times and our NPR station are both celebrating 50 years of contributing to the quality of our lives here in Springfield. May you both continue to thrive.

Tom Bundy
Springfield