Naperville council urged to approve proposed mosque plan
The Islamic Center of Naperville’s proposal to build a new mosque campus is to be on the agenda for the Nov. 16 meeting of the Naperville City Council.
I strongly support the recommendation from the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission to allow the construction process to begin.
Our Muslim neighbors and friends have been with us since the founding of this country, with the first mosques established in the 1920s and ’30s in North Dakota and Iowa. The Muslim residents in Naperville have demonstrated their commitment to our community in countless ways. They’ve held public health screenings, informational programs on civic matters and outreach in times of crisis, among other programs.
During the months of planning and zoning meetings for the project, many points were raised, both negative and positive. Once compromise agreements were reached for 12 conditions, the commission voted 6-1 to recommend the council approve the project.
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I believe the commission’s very positive endorsement of this new development underscores the support of the community for this new religious home for our Muslim friends and neighbors.
I urge the members of the Naperville City Council to support the Islamic Center of Naperville’s new mosque when it goes before you.
Dianne McGuire, Naperville
Hats off to Congress, Underwood on passing infrastructure act
Congressional approval of the long-awaited Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make an enormous difference in our country’s ability to provide safe roads, bridges, and drinking water to everyone. This historic investment will create good jobs for millions of Americans.
We in the 14th District are so lucky to have U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, in our corner, working hard to improve conditions for all Illinois residents.
Barbara Lipkin, Naperville
DuPage switch to paper ballots violates blind voters’ rights
The election board of DuPage County is considering turning back time on disabled voter access. This cannot happen.
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 guaranteed the right of disabled voters to “full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities.” It furthered the Americans with Disabilities Act that also requires that voters with disabilities are able to to privately and independently verify their printed ballot.
Because of these protections, blind, low vision and print-disabled voters can access ballots using an audio system to read choices and allow voters to cast a secret vote privately and independently using audio technology. In 2006 many disabled Illinoisans, including myself, used this process. As someone who is blind, I can say that it was truly empowering. I did not need a poll worker from each party to stand in the voting booth while the choices were being read and I dictated my answers. I was reassured from the audio prompts that I was casting my ballot for the candidate of my choice.
Now I learn DuPage County is turning to all paper ballots using the Verity System by Hart InterCivic for the 2022 primary. Paper ballots are inherently inaccessible because there is no way to independently and privately mark the ballot. If a paper ballot-only system were to be implemented, it would violate a fundamental principle of our democracy for disabled voters — the right to cast a secret and independent ballot.
DuPage County and any other county seeking to use paper ballots can still ensure that blind, low vision and print-disabled voters rights will remain intact. First, all voters in DuPage County should be using the same machines under the Verity systems so that ballots are not distinguishable. Second, all Verity machines being purchased by DuPage County should be audio enabled so that a blind voter can privately and independently mark her ballot. Finally, DuPage County should seek from Hart InterCivic the assurance that a blind voter will be able to independently verify his choices on the paper ballot.
It is incumbent upon DuPage County to follow the law and ensure all voters next spring have the opportunity for a secret and independent ballot.
Denise Avant
Board Member, Access Living Board of Directors
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