Nancy Rotering

Here in Highland Park, IL we stand w Jewish communities in Australia & around the world & with all those who are mourning or struggling to make sense of violence and loss. May the lights kindled this week serve not as a denial of pain, but as a quiet affirmation of compassion & our shared humanity.

Chanukah is often described as a celebration of light, but it is also a reminder of resilience. It is a time to choose hope when darkness feels close. It is a time of showing up for one another even when joy feels complicated.

A menorah brightly burns candles on the eighth night of Chanukah.

As Chanukah begins this evening, my heart is heavy. We are holding the Jewish community of Australia in our thoughts following the tragic and senseless violence at Bondi Beach. What should be a time of gathering, reflection, and light has been overshadowed by grief and fear.

The news that the remaining living hostages have been released brings a profound sense of relief and gratitude. May peace, healing, and compassion guide all of us in the days ahead.

Over the past two years, since the horrors of Oct 7, we have held in our hearts the hostages who remained in captivity in Gaza & the families who waited for their safe return. In particular, we honored the memories of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Itai Seif, & all those w/ connections to Highland Park, IL.

As a community that knows the deep pain of senseless violence, Highland Park stands with you. We mourn with you. And we echo your calls for action. Our children deserve better. We all do. #Enough

Schools should be places of safety, joy, and learning. Children should not have to live in fear and neither should their parents, teachers, or communities. This is not how we are meant to live.

We are heartbroken by the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota. Our hearts are with the students, families, educators, first responders, and the entire community grieving this unimaginable loss.

Thank you, @govpritzker.illinois.gov for standing with the people of Highland Park and for taking impactful action to help protect Illinois’ communities. #ProtectIllinoisCommunitiesAct #Enough

Work requirements imposed in Arkansas, did not increase employment. In fact, there’s reason to believe that they could hurt employment. That’s because when you take away people’s health insurance, their otherwise manageable health conditions turn into unmanageable work barriers.

Opinion | We Saw Medicaid Work Requirements Up Close. You Don’t Want This Chaos.

Cruelty is no way to govern. How Medicaid Work Requirements Failed. "92% of targeted #Medicaid recipients already work, are in school, have family caregiving responsibilities or have disabilities." www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/o...

I am horrified by the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members in DC last night and condemn this vicious act of antisemitism. My thoughts are with the heartbroken families and colleagues of Yaron and Sarah.

As we keep all who have been impacted by the LA Fires as well as the incredible first responders in our hearts, we as a community know the importance of swift, appropriate support during a time of crisis. Here are some suggestions: lnkd.in/gA5WB73C
#LAFires
Photo: DavidSwanson/AFP

Wishing you and those you love much joy, peace, unity and warmth during this special season. Hanukkah Sameach! Merry Christmas! Heri za Kwanzaa! #HappyHolidays

Keeping Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and the entire Madison community close in our hearts.

Mass gun violence is not normal. Our children deserve better. #EnoughIsEnough

Today was a great kick-off to the Strong Cities Network's Hate, Polarization and Extremism Prevention Academy's 1:1 City Meetings. Pleased to be co-leading this national effort with former Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto helping U.S. cities address hate and targeted violence at the local level.

Thank you Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for the honor of being unanimously elected Chair. Looking forward to continued great collaboration across the 275 municipalities of northeastern Illinois. With a strong regional voice, our 9 million residents and area economy are served best.

Never assume that loud is strong, or quiet is weak.

It is often the other way around.