Alderman Responds to Quincy Current Amid Ongoing Debate Over Muslim Community Concerns
The Ward 3 alderman says his focus will remain on representing constituents and handling City Council business as public reaction continues on both sides of the controversy.
QUINCY, Ill. Ward 3 Alderman Mike Adkins has responded to Quincy Current following days of public discussion surrounding concerns raised by members of Quincy’s Muslim community and national civil rights organizations.
Quincy Current reached out to Adkins to offer him an opportunity to respond to the criticism and provide his perspective on the controversy. In a statement provided to Quincy Current, Adkins said his attention will remain focused on his responsibilities as an elected official.
“Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate the work the media does to keep the public informed. My priority is representing the residents of Ward 3, fulfilling my responsibilities as an Alderman and focusing on the work before the City Council. That is where my attention will remain moving forward.”
Adkins did not directly address the specific social media activity or comments that have been criticized, nor did he respond individually to the characterizations made by the Islamic Center of Quincy, the Council on American-Islamic Relations or CAIR-Chicago.
His statement instead indicates that he intends to keep his focus on City Council matters and his representation of Ward 3.
Public Reaction Remains Divided
The controversy has generated considerable public discussion in Quincy.
Quincy Current has observed numerous residents publicly coming to Adkins’ defense, with some arguing that the alderman is being unfairly criticized or that his views have been taken out of context. Others have expressed support for his work as an alderman and questioned whether the controversy should overshadow his representation of the ward.
At the same time, other residents continue to raise concerns about the social media material and public comments attributed to Adkins, particularly regarding how those statements may be received by Muslim residents of Quincy.
The public reaction illustrates the deeply divided response that has developed around the issue.
The controversy also prompted Quincy Mayor, Dr. Linda K. Moore, to deliver a forceful statement before the Sept. 8 City Council meeting, warning that threats, intimidation and hateful rhetoric surrounding the dispute had gone too far. Moore said city officials were aware of what was being said online, in neighborhoods and at residents’ homes, and stressed that anyone who threatens, harasses or intimidates another person should expect law enforcement to take the matter seriously. She emphasized that political or religious disagreement does not justify targeting people at their homes and said every Quincy resident, regardless of neighborhood, background or faith, has the right to feel safe. “Stop the threats. Stop the intimidation. Stop targeting your neighbors,” Moore said, adding that the city would not allow hate or intimidation to take hold in the community.
Controversy Expands
The issue expanded after the Islamic Center of Quincy issued a statement expressing concern about remarks it said were made by a Quincy alderman during a town hall meeting.
The controversy expanded when CAIR and CAIR-Chicago later issued their own statement identifying Adkins and supporting a Quincy Human Rights Commission resolution seeking accountability over social media posts and public statements the organizations characterized as anti-Muslim.
Those descriptions represent the views of the organizations raising the concerns. Quincy Current has continued to attribute those characterizations rather than independently labeling Adkins or his statements.
The Quincy Human Rights Commission has been considering a resolution related to the matter, adding another layer to what began as a local disagreement and subsequently attracted attention from a national Muslim civil rights organization.
Adkins Chooses Not to Engage the Specific Allegations
Adkins’ response provides the first statement he has given directly to Quincy Current since the controversy developed.
While he did not address the substance of the criticisms, his statement makes clear that he does not intend to center his public attention on the dispute.
Instead, Adkins said his priority remains the residents of Ward 3 and the work before the Quincy City Council.
As the controversy continues, Quincy Current will continue to report developments from all sides, including any action taken by the Quincy Human Rights Commission, additional statements from community organizations and any further response from Adkins.
For now, the debate remains active within the community, with some residents defending the alderman and others continuing to call for answers.
Adkins, however, says his attention is returning to City Hall.
