Police, firefighter memorial flags can fly, Des Plaines says
The police and firefighter memorial flags have been added to the list of flags that can be flown on city of Des Plaines-owned properties.
Aldermen voted 6-1 Monday night in support of the police and fire departments' request to fly the flags when a retired or active service member dies, is killed in the line of duty or when there is a loss of life during a noteworthy state, national or international incident.
The police memorial flag - a black flag marked by a horizontal thin blue line - has been flying outside city hall shortly after aldermen approved it July 18, in tribute to five slain Dallas police officers.
The council also voted 6-1 Monday to approve the request of Des Plaines VFW Post 2992 to fly the military service branch flags on the city hall flagpole one after another on four consecutive weeks every November.
The council approved a policy July 5 permitting only the flags of the United States, state of Illinois, the city of Des Plaines and the POW-MIA flag to be flown over municipal sites. Any other flags require the council's approval.
The resolution was prompted by the flying of the rainbow flag, a symbol of gay pride, outside the Des Plaines Public Library following the June 12 mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando. Mayor Matt Bogusz gave library board President Greg Sarlo permission to fly the flag.
Alderman Jim Brookman, who proposed the rules, said aldermen should've had a say in what flags are flown over city properties, and added he probably would have voted to fly the rainbow flag, if asked.
But aldermen continued to debate Monday over the role they should play in deciding which flags are flown. While expressing his verbal support for the police, fire and military flags, Alderman Mike Charewicz voted against both resolutions, and asked that Brookman's original policy be rescinded.
"This makes absolutely no sense to go through these resolutions time and time again," Charewicz said. "This is total micromanaging."
Aldermen Denise Rodd agreed, but voted "present" on both resolutions. She accused Brookman of proposing the policy for political purposes.
Brookman said his intent wasn't political, but philosophical.
"I don't think it's good for this mayor or any mayor in the future to decide which flags fly over our buildings," Brookman said.