Moral obligation to OK Boeger Place

At last night’s “Good Neighbors Campaign” rally, I was asked to deliver a brief talk about “Why We Need This,” meaning the permanent, supportive housing on Boeger Drive for people overcoming mental illness.

While my remarks touched upon what I consider the moral, ethical and theological rationale for building this project, what moved me most were the first-person talks by individuals who would desire to reside in such a residential unit or parents of persons who might be potential candidates for this supportive housing.

These were deeply moving witnesses to the need for this housing by persons currently negatively impacted by the lack of such housing options in our village, in spite of the village’s own admission that we need at least 200 such units in Arlington Heights.

I believe that the village has a responsibility and a duty and yes, even a moral obligation, to allow the Boeger Place project. The village can swiftly end the federal court lawsuit currently under way, saving we taxpayers untold thousands of dollars (now over $180,000) defending a clearly illegal action to deny a building permit.

When the trustees vote to remove a barrier to physical wholeness and full participation in our community of “Good Neighbors” for those overcoming mental illness, we can all rejoice. The village trustees need to own up to their weak-kneed obeisance to ignorant and prejudiced comments about mental illness and come out from the cover of “too many zoning variances” and do the right thing and bless, not prevent, Boeger Place.

The Rev. Rex E. Piercy

Congregational United Church of Christ

Arlington Heights