A pledge adopted by Orland Park elected officials promises more civil discourse among themselves and in working with residents, but the pledge raised concerns about possible curbs on free speech.
The civility pledge Village Board members approved Monday outlines a code of ethics or conduct to follow in discussing village matters and other official business with each other and with the public.
Trustee Cynthia Katsenes said she was concerned the pledge might unintentionally hamstring elected officials in what they talk about and how they discuss it.
Katsenes said she supports unfettered communication among elected officials and taxpayers “honestly and directly even it’s uncomfortable.”
She said that having the board adopt the pledge “assumes a problem exists that I really don’t think it does.”
Katsenes said she has concerns about freedom of speech being hampered by holding elected officials to the pledge.
Mayor Jim Dodge said the pledge “has absolutely nothing to do with suppressing speech.”
Dodge said, after April 1 vote results showed him being elected mayor to replace Keith Pekau, that voters indicated they want the town’s leadership to get back to a more nonpartisan, bipartisan stance focused on their needs
Dodge said election night his victory and that of his slate ushered in “a return to dignity where we will bring back respect, transparency, and civility to Orland Park.”
Dodge has said he is committed to maintaining communication with the community, promising regular updates and opportunities for engagement.
Trustee Michael Milani asked the civility pledge be delayed until later this month.
“I want to get this right,” Milani said.
But when the move to delay the vote failed and the pledge came up for approval, Katsenes was the lone no vote.
“I really don’t think we need a plaque on the wall to say we’re going to do that, we just do that,” she said.
The framework of the code comes from similar pledges adopted by the Illinois Municipal League and U.S. Conference of Mayors, but village officials also had input in tailoring a draft document that went through revisions.
The code “affirms that robust debate and the exchange of diverse ideas are essential to democratic self-governance,” and that village elected officials “recognize the importance of engaging in public discourse with civility, honesty, and mutual respect.”
The pledge states the mayor and trustees “commit to building a more civil society in which all individuals are respected and public and political discourse is directed toward improving our community rather than diminishing others.”
The resolution adopting the pledge states that because village elected leaders “are the elected leaders closest to the people, restoration of civility must begin with us.”
The bullet points in the pledge include respecting “the right of all individuals to hold differing opinions” and avoiding “rhetoric intended to humiliate, delegitimatize, devalue or question the patriotism of those whom we disagree.”
mnolan@southtownstar.com
