I wrote this letter to the Tribune in support of Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and his fight for justice in the 4th District

Re: Editorial: “The challenge to Byron Sigcho-Lopez’s petitions shows what’s wrong with Illinois ballot access”

It is understandable that the editorial board is puzzled as to why “Team Pritzker would become involved” in efforts to keep Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez off the general-election ballot, since the board focuses primarily on local affairs rather than on global politics, where members of Congress may wield significant influence.

I do not know what assertions Sigcho-Lopez shared with you, but if he is elected to Congress, his enormous energy and courageous honesty in fighting for the rights of his constituents would certainly shake up representatives who are prone to accepting donations in exchange for promoting the interests of foreign government rather than addressing the needs of ordinary Americans they are supposed to represent.

Furthermore, as a man of high integrity, Sigcho-Lopez would question any misinterpretation of the Leahy Laws, whether such misinterpretations involve an ally such as Israel or any other foreign government or regime.

Knowing that Governor Pritzker was disappointed by Chicago’s Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution, while Sigcho-Lopez marched through the streets of Chicago alongside thousands of cease-fire supporters and was among the most passionate speakers at City Hall in support of the resolution, it is not difficult to understand why Pritzker’s team would not want to see Sigcho-Lopez in Congress.

Idhan Tahirovic