After the overwhelming opposition to his Bill 3017, Illinois State Sen. Ira Silverstein introduced a resolution (instead of a bill) that will be voted on in the Judiciary Committee today, Tuesday, at 3 PM.

As much as free speech needs to be respected and upheld, it also needs to be checked on an even playing field.

Muslims continue to be the target of hate, fear, and racism causing them to become victims of acts of blatant discrimination and inequality. Muslims have encountered spying, being singled out, and have been deprived their freedom of speech.

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council for American-Islamic Relations, said he doesn't agree with the principles of Hizb ut-Tahrir, but believes the group is entitled to freedom of speech and assembly like any other group in the U.S. "They are a minority group among Muslims and their ideology is considered sensational by mainstream communities," Rehab said. "Despite their best efforts, they are neither persuasive nor effective."

CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham discusses veteran reporter Helen Thomas' criticism of Israel, and deputy managing editor of the Jerusalem Post, Caroline Glick's offensive spoof of the Gaza Flotilla massacre entitled “We Con the World.”

"There is more outrage in this country over some bumbling comments recently made by Helen Thomas than over the murder of a US citizen and eight others by our ally, Israel, on the high seas. Never mind the fact that she has apologized while Israel still refuses to apologize," writes Ahmed Rehab. "Helen Thomas epitomized the role of the people's reporter, a woman who was not afraid to ask tough questions that other reporters were too meek or politically correct to ask."