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Committee approves parking-lot closure for June Pride celebration; flag raising highlighted by organizers
Summary
The Government Operations Committee approved a request from the Equity and Inclusion Commission to close City Parking Lot A on June 2 for an inclusive Pride celebration; commission leaders urged the committee to include a Pride flag-raising and said the event will emphasize community education and support.
The Saint Charles City Government Operations Committee approved a request from the Equity and Inclusion Commission to close City Parking Lot A on Monday, June 2, for an inclusive celebration, committee members heard at their May 5 meeting.
Chief Majewski presented the request on behalf of the commission, describing the event as scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. and asking that the lot be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow for setup and vehicle removal. The commission requested one police officer for extra patrol during the event.
Samantha Newman, chair of the Equity and Inclusion Commission, told the committee the June event is intended to honor Pride Month while also serving broader commission goals around diversity, equity and inclusion. “This event will bring our community together at a time where we need it very much,” Newman said. She outlined planned elements including a food truck, karaoke, crafts, resource tables from local organizations (PFLAG, Belong Fox Valley and a local physician who provides gender-affirming care), and participation by local businesses including Target and Pinot's Palette.
Newman also asked the committee to consider raising the Pride flag as part of the monthlong recognition, saying the flag and the gathering are important to members of the LGBTQIA community and allied residents. Onyx Jack, who identified themself as co‑president of a school gender‑identity alliance, spoke during public comment and urged the city to allow the flag and the celebration, saying the event made them feel “safe, accepted, and part of the Saint Charles community.”
A motion to approve the parking-lot closure and related event request was made by Bob Bennett and seconded by Mark Folkes. Committee roll call for item 6A recorded affirmative votes (transcript: Bendingard, Muns, Kim, Spellman, Petrillo, Werbaugh, Fechaitis); the motion carried and the item will be forwarded to the full city council as part of the council omnibus for formal approval.
Committee and members of the public framed the event as a short, community-focused gathering intended to provide resources and visible support to marginalized residents; no formal restrictions on flag‑raising were imposed at the committee level and the full council will receive the item for final action.
