Glen Ellyn adopts resolution denouncing 'all forms of hate'

Glen Ellyn has adopted a resolution denouncing "all forms of hate," a formal statement applauded by a group of religious leaders and residents who nearly a year ago called on the village board to publicly condemn racist notes that were left on two school campuses.

The resolution reaffirms the village's "support for a community free of racism, hatred and bigotry in all forms" and states it strives "to be a community of justice and peace for all people where the dignity of every human being is respected."

Trustees this week passed the resolution, a symbolic gesture, as part of a consent agenda in a 5-0 vote.

Classes at St. Petronille School were canceled and security heightened at Glenbard West High School after the notes were found last March. At the time, a Glenbard spokeswoman said police and school administrators were made aware of stickers with racist and derogatory statements placed outside the school. One of the stickers contained a threatening statement directed at Glenbard West, but there was no immediate safety risk to students or staff, the spokeswoman said.

"This resolution started a year ago when we had some unwanted words written on various schools, churches and other places around the community," Village President Diane McGinley said Monday. "At the time, I thought I would be able to denounce those actions with the arrest of all individuals committing these crimes. However, the case is still in process, and I am not comfortable making any statements on that case."

As the anniversary of the incident approaches, McGinley said she is "taking the opportunity" to state that "Glen Ellyn as a community welcomes all and will enforce all laws to show that we do so."

Members of "One Community, a group that has formed to celebrate diversity and build relationships with neighbors by attending interfaith services, library gatherings and other events, urged officials last March in writing and at a board meeting to make an official statement and send a clear message that Glen Ellyn would not tolerate racist, derogatory statements and threats.

Members of the group gathered again Monday to thank the board for adopting a resolution that declares the village "strives to be an inclusive community that champions diversity, embraces its immigrant communities, respects sexual and gender identity, makes room for all faiths, pursues equity, and rejects hatred, violence, and terrorism."

"This village is our family, and it is important to sometimes reinforce and restate that yes, we are all loved and respected, so I thank the board for telling the entire community that we're all loved," Sania Irwin said.