Local leader chose to be divisive

I read Mr. Zalusky's article titled, “Aurora mayor orders flags restored to full staff despite Trump order to honor Charlie Kirk,” and I think there are several matters of fact missing.

First, John Laesch did not just defy President Trump’s order, but also Gov. JB Pritzker. While the federal Flag Code is a guideline that applies to federal facilities, Gov. Pritzker’s order comes from the Illinois Flag Display Act, a state law. I have scoured historical data, and I have not been able to find one instance in the past where Aurora has gone against the governor or state law while flying the flag. In fact, the city followed this state law on Monday, Sept. 15, by lowering flags for former Gov. Jim Edgar. So why was this one instance different?

The second point of fact is the governor’s order specifically states that flags are to be flown at half mast for all victims of political violence. It does not mention Kirk, or any other person by name. The governor obviously did this on purpose, to make the issue nonpartisan and to remember the Henry Pratt shootings, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk. While the mayor may have personal issues with Charlie Kirk, by not following this order, he disrespected the other victims of political violence as well.

My final point is this, at a time when political division is at its highest in recent memory, when your police and firefighters oppose raising the flag, when political leaders from both sides order the flags to be flown at half-mast, what kind of leader would choose to be divisive?

Peter Hinderer

Des Plaines