Downers Grove officers have unveiled a controversial proposal to alter the management construction of the politically troubled village library.
A nonbinding referendum asking whether or not to exchange the western suburbs library’s appointed board with an elected one was the newest debate to rock the establishment, which has turn out to be a battleground in current tradition wars over race, gender and sexuality which have raged nationwide because the pandemic. Perhaps most memorably, the library was pressured to cancel a drag queen-themed bingo exercise in September 2022 after receiving violent threats. It has additionally seen the removing of two trustees since 2017.
While a non-binding referendum has no power of regulation, the concept nonetheless drew a fierce response Thursday from residents who feared that opening the door to elections may give political curiosity teams a foothold to affect library affairs. It garnered instant and vocal opposition from the whole library board, whose members mentioned that they had not been consulted on the proposal and warned that it may create vital tax will increase.
Instead of placing the query of an elected board earlier than voters this spring, the Village Council and library board agreed Thursday to type a joint subcommittee to contemplate “potential different approaches” to selecting library trustees within the coming months. The group will doubtless start assembly in February and conclude its work in September, leaving open the potential of a vote in 2026, in keeping with a letter from the library board and council.
Commissioner Michael Davenport, who introduced the referendum to the Village Board in November, informed about 150 residents at a joint library and Village Board assembly Thursday night time that he was centered on seeking to the long run.
“Any course of that finally ends up ensuing within the residents of Downers Grove having better enter into the (nomination) course of… I feel that may be a victory,” he mentioned.
Resident Marshall Schmitt praised the library board and village council for working collectively to alter course, however warned that divisions over the referendum wouldn’t go away.
“It might be very simple for this group to be hijacked based mostly on political agendas,” he mentioned.
Citizens like Laura Kamedulski fearful about what would occur if “a very dedicated and, in my view, excessive and unique group (was) making an attempt to get these seats on the library board.”
Kamedulski spoke minutes after Laura Hois, co-president of the Downers Grove chapter of Awake Illinois, reiterated her help for an elected board. According to Hois, the present board doesn’t symbolize conservatives and “God-fearing Christian people who love our nation.” He mentioned the library should be “a impartial establishment…free from left-wing political agendas” and different supplies associated to race, gender and sexuality.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has categorized Awake Illinois as a hate group. Hois’ feedback had been met with a refrain of boos and hisses from across the room, prompting Mayor Bob Barnett to ask individuals to respect one another’s time and hear to one another.
“There’s a listing of issues so long as this pad of paper on which we do not see the world the identical method,” Barnett mentioned of himself and his colleagues. “But we’re looking for factors to agree on…and I hope that some individuals on the market are on the lookout for factors to agree on with the work that we’re doing.”
Barnett and different members of the library board and village council mentioned they had been optimistic concerning the work forward. They acknowledged that the connection between the 2 our bodies wanted enchancment, however many mentioned they believed Thursday’s assembly and future ones may assist mend the connection.
“A couple of weeks in the past, I mentioned two phrases: ‘Let’s speak,’ and I’m thrilled that that occurred,” mentioned David Humphreys, library administrator.
Resident Eric Blaylock mentioned he’s skeptical that the village could make substantial adjustments to the library board, however mentioned he’s extra happy with the way in which the village is approaching that chance.
“It looks like it is truly a dialogue now,” he mentioned. “I feel it is a good strategy to transfer ahead.”
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