The Sentinel: 11/19/24

Letter to the Editor |
Should Illinois legalize assisted-suicide?

Dear Editor,

Should Illinois legalize assisted-suicide? Some state senators think so. If allowed, vulnerable people who are sick, elderly, disabled, and those with mental illness and dementia will become targets.

As the father of a Downs Syndrome toddler, I am extremely alarmed by this proposal.

No one should be comfortable with promoting a cheaper, easier alternative to life’s struggles in order to ignore their responsibilities to people who need their help.

Canada’s law, with 79% support, was promoted as a last resort for the terminally ill. Support has plummeted to 30% because of the disregard toward vulnerable citizens such as anyone with an illness and those who are disabled.

Canadians facing homelessness and poverty are feeling compelled to end their lives rather than be a “burden” to society.

In 2023, 76.2% of Belgium euthanasia was administered to people with physical and psychological issues, including personality disorders, depression, and Alzheimer’s.

A Netherland law that took effect on February 1, 2024, allows parents to euthanize their children even if the child doesn’t want to be killed.

Proponents can call it “dignity,” but it is cruel and heartless to disregard human life.

If you agree, please let your state senator know.

David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute

Guest Commentary |
We're taking on America's most anti-union company - and we are going to win

by Dori Goldberg

OtherWords

I work at one of the most profitable companies in the world, yet I’m barely able to get by.

In August 2023, I got hired as a warehouse associate at an Amazon delivery station in San Francisco. Within months, it became clear just how unjust and dysfunctional the workplace was.

I start work at 3:20 a.m. and spend eight hours a day processing thousands of packages. By the end of the shift, my shoulders are sore, I’m lightheaded, and I often feel like I’m running on empty.

Our workplace isn’t safe. Heavy boxes routinely fall on my co-workers’ heads. I’ve seen people get chemical burns from cleaning up hazardous materials. It’s not unusual to sustain long-term injuries from being overworked.

In short, my co-workers and I come to work every day, breaking our backs for a company that treats us as disposable — and refuses to offer living wages or adequate health care plans. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We have the power to demand better.

That’s why my co-workers and I are organizing with the Teamsters Union, standing up to our bosses, and demanding Amazon recognize our union.

Management makes false promises, wanting us to believe that if we just work hard enough, we’ll climb the ranks to become a manager or get a raise. But favoritism is rampant, and consistent understaffing makes us physically, mentally and emotionally stressed, leading to burnout.

We won’t let this company continue to exploit us. We’re demanding union recognition and a Teamsters contract because we know that when we stand together, Amazon will be forced to hear our demands.

Management has tried their best to stop us from talking to each other about workplace issues. They say they can only deal with people’s issues one-on-one, because Amazon knows that when we come together as a group, we have the power to actually change things for the better.

We’re showing our co-workers and the company that we can make our workplace safer and healthier as a union. We are fighting for a living wage, a safe workplace that’s free from harassment, and quality health care and benefits. We’re unionizing in order to have a voice and call out Amazon for their mistreatment of workers.

So at 3:00 a.m. one day this fall, my coworkers and I marched into work and demanded recognition for our union.

Amazon wasted no time in launching their union-busting crusade. We aren’t falling for it. They made $30 billion last year while paying us pennies. Amazon is scared of us. They see we have strength in numbers, and we’re not backing down.

Getting Amazon to recognize our union is going to take considerable community support. The day after we demanded recognition, we rallied outside of our facility with our co-workers, fellow union members, and elected officials. As we continue to fight for recognition and a Teamsters contract, we must continue to show that organized labor, officials, and the community stand with us.

We’re taking on this fight not just at one facility, but around the country. I’m proud to be standing with my fellow Amazon Teamsters in San Bernardino, California; Skokie, Illinois; Queens and Staten Island, New York; and Northern Kentucky. As our numbers grow, our power grows. We must set our sights on forcing Amazon to come to the bargaining table and win a strong contract.

This is our moment. Let’s seize it.

About the author:
Dori Goldberg, an Amazon warehouse worker who says that workers all across the country are uniting to defeat Amazon's union busting crusade. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

Brandon Lee joins the Fighting Illini 2025 class

CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini secured a major piece of their 2025 basketball recruiting class on Monday with the signing of 6-foot-4 shooting guard Brandon Lee, head coach Brad Underwood announced. Lee, the son of Puerto Rican basketball icon Butch Lee, joins Illinois as a dynamic scorer with international and elite AAU experience.

Born in Puerto Rico and currently playing at The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, Lee brings a multifaceted offensive game to Champaign. Ranked No. 98 in the 2025 class by 247Sports, he has proven himself as a three-level scorer with the ability to dominate high-stakes competition.

"Brandon is a gifted scorer and an aggressive offensive player who can score at all three levels," Underwood said. "He has great physicality which allows him to score at the rim, get to the foul line, and he is a very capable shooter with range at the 3-point line."

Lee’s pedigree extends far beyond his own burgeoning résumé. His father, Butch Lee, was a trailblazer as the first Puerto Rican to play in the NBA. The elder Lee made history at Marquette University, where he earned the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1978 before being selected 10th overall in the NBA Draft. That legacy is part of what has shaped Brandon’s basketball journey, which has included starring for Puerto Rico in international tournaments and excelling in top-tier AAU circuits.

On the Nike EYBL circuit with the New York Rens, Lee emerged as one of the top young players in the country. Averaging 23 points per game, he finished as the third-leading scorer and earned the Breakout MVP award for the 17U division at The Circuit. At the prestigious Peach Jam, he further impressed, posting 18.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Lee’s skills shone on the international stage this summer at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he led Puerto Rico in scoring with 13.3 points per game, including a standout 22-point performance against Team USA in the quarterfinals.

"He has faced high-level competition throughout high school and AAU, and he has FIBA experience as well with Puerto Rico," Underwood added. "Brandon comes from a basketball family, so it's no surprise he is a high IQ player who has been well-coached throughout his career. We're excited to officially welcome him to the Fighting Illini family."

Illinois’ recruiting momentum has been significant, as Lee becomes the fourth guard to join Underwood’s 2025 class. He chose Illinois over offers from Rutgers, Mississippi State, Seton Hall, and several other programs, signaling the strength of the program’s appeal. Lee joins recent commit Keaton Wagler as part of a backcourt poised to keep the Illini competitive in the Big Ten for years to come.

With his blend of experience, scoring versatility, and NBA bloodlines, Lee is poised to make a significant impact at State Farm Center.

Keywords: Brandon Lee Illinois basketball, Fighting Illini 2025 recruiting class, Puerto Rican basketball stars, Brad Underwood Illinois signing, Illini Basketball

Today's prep basketball live streams

Unity's Raegen Stringer goes up for a shot between Urbana's Aziyiaha Davis and Mia Schroeder during their non-conference game last December. The Unity girls' basketball team open their season tonight at the Bunny Tip-Off against Iroquois West (0-1).

Schedule for November 19, 2024 .::.