February 12, 2024; Source: Illinois Public Radio

Fake images and audio recordings of candidates have already been circulating, even here on The 21st Show! Find out what we should be doing to address the threat of this increasingly common technology.

November 3, 2023; Source: Telemundo Chicago

El representante estatal de Illinois, Abdelnasser Rashid, fue invitado a la Casa Blanca para discutir el tema.

“La inteligencia artificial es un área enorme con la que deben luchar los políticos; debemos asegurarnos de que ambos captemos los beneficios que la IA tiene para ofrecer”, dijo Abdelnasser Rashid, representante estatal de Illinois.

November 3, 2023; Source: WCIA

State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) was at the White House when the president signed the executive order.

“This is a national and frankly, international problem. This isn’t something that states can solve alone,” Rashid said. “That’s not to say that states don’t have a role to play. We have a very important role to play and here in Illinois, we’re going to make sure that we do that well.”

September 6, 2023; Source: The State Journal-Register

Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, is co-chairing the new Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force.

September 2, 2023; Source: Des Plaines Valley News

“With climate change accelerating, we unfortunately will see natural disasters that are more extreme, more devastating and more frequent. This grant program, if passed, will ensure Illinois is prepared to provide direct financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by natural disasters,” said Rashid. “Too many families in Cicero, Berwyn and Chicago are struggling with the cost of damages to their homes and property. If passed, this will take some of the financial burden off their shoulders as they work to get back on their feet.”

August 22, 2023; Source: Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

“Representative Rashid’s fresh perspective and background in computer science will help guide Illinois’ approach to this emerging technology,” said Welch in a press release. “Artificial intelligence offers opportunities for innovation, as well as important conversations that must be had regarding privacy, security, and workplace fairness. I look forward to seeing Representative Rashid lend his perspective and insight to these important discussions.”

July 3, 2023; Source: Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

“State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) is looking for a few good people to serve on new Citizens Advisory Councils that he is creating to advise him on four specific issue areas.

In his first term as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, Rashid is creating four Citizens Advisory Councils to advise him on education, immigrant rights, environmental issues and small business issues.”

May 25, 2023; Source: Public News Service

Arab communities have been fighting to be included in the census for decades, so it is not a new idea but Rashid said it finally allows for them to be seen. Rashid argued the data will have real-world effects, and they will be able to see outcomes in health care, education, employment and economics and get a glimpse into what the needs and challenges are. Once there is enough data, they will know how to make adjustments to serve the communities better. He encouraged people to use the checkbox.

"This data, once it starts being collected and once we have enough of it, will give us really important insights," Rashid contended. It will become very important to help us understand the lives and needs of the Arab American community in Illinois."

May 19, 2023; Source: CBS Chicago

Currently, Arab Americans are categorized as white. The bill introduced in February will ensure that the Middle East and North African (MENA) racial category will be on official state government forms, studies and reports.

This data collected is used to inform local programs, funding and policy.

"It sends a message to the Arab American community that you are valued, you are seen," State Representative and bill sponsor Abdelnasser Rashid told CBS 2.

May 19, 2023; Source: Illinois Democratic House Caucus

“With the emergence of new technology, it is imperative that the State of Illinois is in a good position to address any unintended consequences and deter bad actors,” said State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview). “Without any legislative guardrails, this technology can be used for malicious intent like consumer scams, access to sensitive information, and disinformation. Many states are taking preliminary steps to govern uses of AI given the regulatory gap.”

May 12, 2023; Source: Illinois Democratic House Caucus

To help tackle the persistent and growing housing crisis, State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) passed legislation to improve planning for affordable housing in Illinois.

“Residents should not continue to be priced out of the communities in which they live,” said Rep. Rashid. “Increasing the supply of affordable housing benefits not only individuals and families, but it also strengthens our communities and our economy.”

May 11, 2023; Source: Illinois Democratic House Caucus

Legislation to ensure the state of Illinois develops a blueprint to expand high-quality dual language programs in our public schools passed the Illinois Senate last week and now heads to Governor Pritzker’s desk. HB 3822, introduced by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview), passed the Illinois House of Representatives in March.

“As someone who grew up in a multilingual household, I understand that bilingualism is an incredibly enriching asset. This bill will help build a path to expand dual language programs, which improve academic achievement and enhance cultural preservation,” said Rep. Rashid.

March 30, 2023; Source: Illinois Democratic House Caucus

“We know that bilingualism is a valuable asset in today’s global society. This bill will help build a path for all students to have access to high-quality dual language programs, which benefit their academic achievement, enhance cultural preservation, and prepares students for success in the workforce,” said Rep. Rashid.

March 29, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“At this critical juncture in the emergence of artificial intelligence, we must make sure that the State of Illinois is in a good position to address any unintended consequences and deter bad actors,” said Rep. Rashid. “Without any legislative guardrails, this technology can be used for malicious intent like consumer scams, access to sensitive information, and disinformation. Many states are taking preliminary steps to govern uses of AI given the regulatory gap.”

March 17, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“We applaud the State of Illinois, IEMA, and Governor Pritzker for supporting the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in southern Türkiye and northern Syria. We just returned from the area with a team of 10 doctors, 4 of them from Illinois. We witnessed the catastrophe impact of the earthquake on patients, especially children,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, critical care specialist at Christ Advocate Medical Center and Saint Anthony hospital and president of MedGlobal.

“We appreciate the important effort by State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid to support the victims of the earthquake and his work with state agencies to make this gift happen,” said Dr. Sahloul.

March 9, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“As my first bill as an elected official, I wanted to start by building on previous reforms and continue the work to restore trust in state government,” Rashid said. “We start that work by fully empowering the Legislative Inspector General, giving the people who work in the legislative branch the protection they deserve, and giving the constituents we serve the reassurance that we are doing all that is required to root out wrongdoing.”

March 8, 2023; Source: CBS Chicago

A bill that would ensure those who identify as Middle Eastern or North African are counted in state data progressed Wednesday.

The legislation, House Bill 3768, passed the State Government Administration Committee. It will go to the House floor for a vote, and then the Senate for a final vote.

If passed into law, the bill would add a category called Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) to the Uniform Racial Classification Act. Whenever a state agency is required by law to compile or report statistical data using racial or ethnic classification, the amended law says they must use MENA in addition to white, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

March 3, 2023; Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“My bill sends a clear message to companies harvesting our data: enough is enough,” said Rashid. “Companies’ reckless use of our data causes real problems for real people, and we need to hold those companies accountable.”

Feb 7, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“I am proud to have a strong advocate for our state’s working families join our caucus,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Rashid to improve the lives of families of the 21st district and those throughout our state.”

Feb 6, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“It was a privilege to reaffirm my oath of office before family, friends, elected leaders, and the communities that make up the 21st District as I begin my first term,” said Rashid. Rashid’s swearing-in ceremony was administered by the Hon. Judge Rouhy Shalabi, who is the first Palestinian-American judge in Illinois’ history.

Jan 20, 2023; Source: Illinois House Democratic Caucus

“Yusuf has the passion, knowledge and experience to lead our office,” said Rashid. “I am thrilled to welcome him to the team, and I am excited to work with him to improve the lives of the working and middle-class families that make up the 21st District.”

Jan 17, 2023; Source: Voice of America

“I think the lesson of my election and Nabeela’s election and so many more — it’s not just Muslims,” said Rashid. “It’s folks like Hoan Huynh, a Vietnamese refugee who was elected. People like Sharon Chung, a Korean-American who was elected. The number of people who are in the Illinois legislature is reflective of the diversity of our state. This is something that we should take pride in, and something that we should embrace so that our government continues to reflect the wishes of its people. I think where we have a strong healthy vibrant democracy, we’ll have better outcomes for all of us.”

Jan 11, 2023; Source: WCIA.com

This new session is kicking off with some historic moments. The House will now have its first two Muslim Americans with Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Justice) and Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Inverness).

Nov 9, 2022; Source: ABC7 Eyewitness News

"They didn't vote for me because my name is Abdelnasser, because I happen to be Palestinian and happen to be Muslim. They voted for me for the ideas that we engaged with them on," he said.