McLean County board member joins Asian-American women from Illinois House to call for more education

Posted on March 16, 2022
State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) celebrates the passage of the TEAACH Act, which requires a curriculum that includes contributions of Asian-Americans. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A year after a half dozen Asian-American women were killed in Atlanta spas, Illinois women have not forgotten.

Sharon Chung says her position as a county board member in Bloomington makes her vulnerable. “Being a public official and being the first Asian ever elected in the history of McLean County, I know I am kind of out there in the public,” Chung told a statehouse news conference. “And when I am accused online of being an agent of China, and I am not to be trusted, that does give me some pause.”

Chung joined Asian-American women from the Illinois House to call for more education. State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) said that’s the key.

“Hate and discrimination comes from ignorance, and the best weapon against ignorance is education,” said the representative. “It’s about reminding everyone that Asian-American history is American history, and that Asian-Americans are Americans.”

The group celebrated passage of the TEAACH Act, which requires curricula to include contributions of Asian-Americans.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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