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Rockford public speakers clash over 'All Are Welcome' sign as council amends welcome-sign resolution
Summary
Dozens of residents used the city council public-comment period on March 12 to press elected officials about a highly visible welcome sign campaign; council approved a resolution supporting an I‑90 welcome sign but amended it to require council approval for future entrance greetings.
Rockford, Ill. — Dozens of residents used the city council public-comment period on March 12 to press elected officials about a highly visible welcome sign campaign that has drawn conflicting interpretations from community members.
The debate opened with public speaker John Tack Brantley, who criticized the city’s response during Black History Month and framed his remarks around racial inequities in civic engagement. “There’s a double standard when it comes to African Americans,” Brantley said, urging the council to address policing and community relationships.
Kevin Rylot, identified as a public speaker, urged the council to interpret “all are welcome” inclusively. “Every person in this room is a person created in the image and likeness of God,” Rylot said, and added that “all means all,” including immigrants and people in the womb.
Other speakers tied the sign to local politics. Public speaker Elaysan Kehoe questioned the origin and intent of wording on the sign and asked the council to investigate who authorized the language and whether proper processes were followed. Dave Pedersen, owner of May’s Books, said comments linking immigrants to crime were “wrong” and urged council members to reject bigotry.
At the legislative session, Alderman Bonney moved to amend a resolution supporting a City of Rockford welcome sign at the I-90 Gateway entrance at East State Street to require council approval for all future entrance greetings. The council adopted that amendment and then approved the amended resolution by roll call vote (11 ayes), affirming support for the specific I-90 welcome sign while adding the new requirement for future signage content to come before council.
Alderman Chad Thunberg, speaking during debate, said the issue was about crime and local residents rather than immigration. “Crime still is amongst most Third Ward residents the number‑one issue to tackle within our city,” Thunberg said.
Why it matters: The conversation highlights a tense local debate over public messaging, immigration, and public safety. The council’s amendment creates a formal review step for future entrance signage, a procedural change intended to give elected members direct oversight of the wording used on city gateway signs.
The council did not take other formal actions tied to individual public commenters during the March 12 meeting; the welcome-sign resolution amendment and passage were the only formal votes directly addressing the signage topic.
Looking ahead: The council’s added requirement means any future welcome messages placed at city entrances will return to the council for review and approval before installation.
