Morton Grove mayor proclaims June 2026 Pride Month, urges support for LGBTQ+ residents

Mayor Janine Witco read a proclamation at the Village of Morton Grove board meeting declaring June 2026 as Pride Month and urging residents to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. "I, Janine Witco, mayor of the village of Morton Grove, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the village of Morton Grove," she said, calling LGBTQ+ people "important and respected members of our community."

The proclamation noted the village tagline and encouraged residents and officials to "work together with all members of our community to facilitate open relationships and foster a safe and welcoming environment" regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The mayor specifically saluted Morton Grove Pride, described in the proclamation as a local group that organized a series of events, and directed residents to the group's website as provided in the record, mortgride.org.

The declaration frames the month as an opportunity for local engagement: the mayor urged residents to "join with the village board and me to eliminate discrimination wherever it exists, to accept all people for who they are and who they love, and to honor our diversity by celebrating our LGBTQ plus family and friends and neighbors."

The proclamation was read near the start of the meeting and was recorded in the official minutes; no vote was required for a mayoral proclamation. The item was followed by routine staff and trustee reports and several community announcements.