Editorial: Reminder for elected leaders: You serve all residents

Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz found himself in some hot water after a Fourth of July speech that at times veered more into the sermon category than a patriotic celebration.

"I come to you today with a little bit of a bittersweet feeling - more than any other Fourth of July," Lentz told the crowd at the Fort Hill Heritage Center. "I'll address the elephant in the room. Some of us are kind of reeling after the Supreme Court decision (allowing gay marriage in the U.S.)"

Lentz said this bittersweet feeling comes even though the Constitution has weathered the Civil War, two World Wars, depressions and recessions. Marriage equality apparently was the tipping point for what he termed the country's "moral crisis." He then went on to also lump unwed mothers and problem drinkers as part of that moral crisis.

Lentz, of course, has every right to speak his mind. But as a public figure - elected to serve his entire community - he, like other politicians, should remember that the right to free speech doesn't absolve him from the criticism and consequences that might follow.

"Why single mothers, alcoholics and members of the gay community were even topics chosen for a July Fourth speech is beyond me," said Mundelein resident Deborah Barnes on Facebook as quoted by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau. "Shame on you as a political official to use that venue as a sounding board for your beliefs."

"I would never have addressed any of those issues during a Fourth of July speech," said Mundelein Trustee Dawn Abernathy.

It's unclear what Lentz hoped to accomplish by his speech or why the Supreme Court decision would have such an effect on him since Illinois has allowed same-sex marriage for a year. Lentz wouldn't respond to that question, though he did try, unsuccessfully, to divert criticism over the comments about unwed mothers.

"Please know, I would be among the first to honor the single parents in our community who are working tirelessly to support their households and sacrifice for their children. Nothing I said was intended to disparage single parents, and it grieves me to hear that others spun my words to imply that I said otherwise." To blame those who criticize rather than take responsibility for his words is a diversionary tactic many politicians have exhibited over the years. Lentz need only look at Donald Trump to see the consequences of that strategy.

Trump's anti-immigration remarks when announcing his presidential campaign led to several high-profile companies ending their relationships with his businesses. Suburban politicians hoping to entice businesses and their customers to their communities should think twice before disparaging segments of the population in public remarks, especially on a holiday intended to celebrate all Americans.