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Speaker Welch creates new task force to review monuments on state property

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Illinois

* Press release…

In an effort to ensure that statues and other ceremonial landmarks on state property reflect the values and morals of our state, Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the creation of a new special task force to conduct a review of monuments on state property and proposals for new monuments or statues.

“There is a national movement in which local and state governments across the country are re-evaluating public art, the extent to which they accurately reflect history and how they impact people who have been marginalized from our history. The way we present our history matters, and when our public art doesn’t represent positive history that we can all celebrate, it sends a particularly harmful message to people of color that these beliefs are shared by their own government,” said Welch. “By reimagining our publicly displayed art, Illinois has the opportunity to be on the right side of history and show, through action that our state is inclusive to all.”

Welch announced the creation of the bipartisan Statue and Monument Review Task Force, which will be chaired by state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, and vice chaired by state Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago. Other Democratic appointees to the task force are state Reps. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights; Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora; Denyse Stoneback, D-Skokie; Maurice West, D-Rockford; and Eva Dina Delgado, D-Chicago. Its creation comes on the heels of a similar monument review in the City of Chicago, in which over 40 monuments were identified for further review and discussion due to promoting narratives of white supremacy or presenting one-sided views of history.

The Statue and Monument Review Task Force will host several public hearings to hear firsthand from historians, advocates, organizations and other members of the public. The task force will then produce recommendations for the removal of existing statues and may also recommend the erection of new statues to ensure Illinois’ public art is historically accurate and reflects the diversity of the state.

“This review is not about erasing history; in fact, the goal of this task force is to ensure that our artwork reflects an accurate retelling of our history and the contributions made by all people,” added Flowers. “Our work in this task force will be the start of a long overdue discussion about the values reflected in our public art and the message of diversity and inclusivity that we are sending to communities of color.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 12:55 pm

Comments

I am looking forward to the debates about whether or not the crimes against humanity one committed 500 years ago should determine how much public recognition they deserve and whether or not that recognition must require a detailed acknowledgement of their crimes.

I look forward to the statue park full of historical figures with “complicated” histories and the neo-confederate, neo-nazi, and alt-right demonstrations to protect monuments to those who deserve no recognition other than as a footnote in history as people who betrayed their country in order to hold other humans in perpetual bondage.

I as excited about this as Facebook’s algorithms are to point our collective uncles down the path to radicalization over the idea of removing embarrassments to our nation from public honors.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 1:23 pm
Right. Because this is more important than many of the other serious issues facing Illinois.

Comment by Msu23 Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 1:50 pm
===Because this is more important than many of the other serious issues facing Illinois.===

The committee can do this work and do other things

Walk… chew gum…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 1:53 pm
When does the Mike Madigan monument go up?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 1:59 pm
I am less than thrilled about removing stuff as I would be about reinterpretation of the stuff that the powers that were thought worthy of commemoration. Though frankly, most of the Columbus statues could come down. The ones left could use plaques explaining why we used to pretend he discovered this continent.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 2:30 pm
== I am less than thrilled about removing stuff as I would be about reinterpretation of the stuff that the powers that were thought worthy of commemoration.==

That’s kinda the point tho right? A big reason we’re re-examining these statues is because the people who originally put them up largely all looked the same and had the same perspectives. We’re a much more open and diverse society with the benefit of numerous perspectives on this stuff. It’s worth re-examining with the benefit of these more contemporary perspectives

Comment by SWIL_Voter Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 2:38 pm
===most of the Columbus statues could come down.===

I’m always torn on the Columbus stuff. The history of Columbus Day isn’t as black and white as it’s made out to be. It was actually recognized as a nod to Italian Americans and Catholics since they had faced discrimination. I understand that’s not necessarily about the statues nor does it address the criticism entirely but it does show how intention can get lost over the years. Maybe you’re right an reinterpretation and/or explanation plaques is the answer…

Comment by CM Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 2:39 pm
Let’s extend to the Capitol building. Still any portraits of Illinois Governors sent to prison? Been a while since I have been there but I can find no record of them being removed.

Particularly ironic since Douglas statute was removed.

Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:02 pm
What’s behind this? Does anyone know if Welch has statures in mind that he wants removed?

Might be more to this than the rather bland statements.

Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:06 pm
At least in the info above there is no mention of any Republicans serving on this task force.

Is that the case?

Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:14 pm
Well, as long as they leave Popeye (Chester) Noel Neill (Metropolis) and the Hippie Memorial (Arcola) alone.

Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 3:21 pm
Don’t forget Norma Jean in Oquwaka Big twitch

Comment by Almost the weekend Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:04 pm
Almost, I have been to see the elephant.

Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:23 pm
**When does the Mike Madigan monument go up?**

It appears that it has already been installed in your head.

Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:32 pm
You can’t change history or events.

Comment by Just Curious Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:42 pm
=== You can’t change history or events.===

Grant won the war.

Lee won the myth.

That’s what it means to re-examine monuments.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:44 pm
=At least in the info above there is no mention of any Republicans serving on this task force.

Is that the case?==

If that was the case I wouldn’t be surprised if there was one with Raunerite tendencies that would target the removal of the AFL-CIO and Miner’s Memorial statues.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 6:00 pm
Will they try and remove Lincoln similar to San Fran and other communities? /s

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 6:11 pm
To the question of portraits of our Governors, I think I have a solution.

For the governors that went to prison we should leave their portraits on display but change their frames to wrought iron frames with evenly spaced vertical wrought iron bars across the width of the painting.

I think it’d be a pretty educational display and a poignant reminder to those that might need one.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 1:04 am
=**When does the Mike Madigan monument go up?**

It appears that it has already been installed in your head.=

LP- when do you call for the Ray LaHood memorial highway sign to be removed?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 8:17 am