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Trustees refer proposed civility pledge to Committee of the Whole after divided debate
Summary
After extended debate about free speech, intent and language, the board voted to send a proposed civility pledge to the Committee of the Whole for further review and to invite written input from trustees.
The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to refer a proposed civility pledge to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion and written input from trustees after a lengthy and divided debate.
What was proposed: The mayor introduced a resolution adopting a civility pledge for display at Village Hall. Staff said the draft drew from model language used by the Illinois Municipal League and the United States Conference of Mayors.
Why trustees debated it: Several trustees supported the idea as a nonbinding goodwill statement committing the board to respectful discourse. Others said the draft was overly prescriptive and risked chilling free speech by asking officials to pledge to use certain language or to be compelled to “speak out against violence whenever and wherever it occurs.” Trustee Katsenas warned that defining civility is subjective and asked who would make that determination. Trustee Malani and Trustee Healy said the resolution could be unnecessary or counterproductive, with Malani noting that civility should be demonstrated by conduct rather than by a pledge and Healy calling the proposal “stupid” and likening it to social‑media posturing.
Village staff context: George (village staff) told trustees the draft borrows from the Illinois Municipal League’s 2023 pledge and the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 2011 civility accord, which many municipalities have circulated to elected bodies.
Action taken: Trustee Lee Platt moved and trustees seconded a motion to refer the resolution to the Committee of the Whole and to request written input from each trustee for the committee discussion. The referral motion passed on roll call; the civility pledge was not adopted at the meeting.
Next steps: The Committee of the Whole will review the IML model text and the draft resolution, and trustees will be asked to submit written comments for committee consideration. The board will revisit the pledge only after the committee process and further edits, if any.
