Bolingbrook trustees adopt resolution calling for immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza after resident appeals

Bolingbrook’s Mayor Mary S. Alexander-Basta and the Board of Trustees voted on Feb. 13, 2024 to adopt Resolution 24R-007, a measure affirming the village’s commitment to diversity and calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and other regions under attack. The vote was 5-0 (Trustees Michael J. Carpanzano, Jean M. Kelly, Michael T. Lawler, Jose Quintero and Maria A. Zarate voting aye; Trustee Troy J. Doris absent).

The resolution, read into the record at the meeting, “stands for peace and call[s] for the return of hostages and prisoners,” and urges a “durable, sustained humanitarian cessation of hostilities” and “the immediate, continuous, sufficient, and unhindered provision of essential goods and services” to civilians, language taken from SECTION ONE of the document read at the meeting.

The item drew substantial public engagement: Village Clerk Martha M. Barton said 33 written messages were submitted in advance and the board heard from 26 residents during a focused public-comment period urging trustees to pass a comprehensive ceasefire resolution. Speakers and written submissions included residents who said they had family or ties to the region and urged the board to take a stand.

Trustee Michael T. Lawler and Trustee Michael J. Carpanzano led motions to amend the resolution (an amendment to the title and to the final “Whereas” paragraph) before Trustee Carpanzano moved to approve the resolution as amended and Trustee Jose Quintero seconded. The board’s approval was recorded by roll call: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 1.

The resolution itself cites the Village’s home-rule authority under Section 6(a) of Article VII of the 1970 Illinois Constitution and includes language condemning acts of violence against civilians and calling for protection of civilian populations in accordance with international law. The text also directs the Village Clerk to publish and forward the resolution to federal and state officials.

Not all details raised by residents were independently verified at the meeting. Some public submissions and emailed statements referenced casualty figures and an estimated local taxpayer contribution to U.S. military assistance; the resolution text as adopted states a figure of approximately $880,000 as the collective annual contribution by Bolingbrook residents toward U.S. military aid to Israel. The board did not provide an independent accounting or hearing-level verification of those figures during the meeting.

Mayor Alexander-Basta noted that State Representative Natalie Manley and State Senator Rachel Ventura had reviewed and expressed support for the resolution as presented, and she said any further changes would require their review.

Following the vote, Khurshid Hoda offered public appreciation to the Mayor and trustees for their action. Mayor Alexander-Basta closed the meeting by encouraging residents to stay engaged in community affairs.

The resolution became effective upon passage; the meeting record shows the clerk published the document on Feb. 14, 2024.