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TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor's Office
DATE: April 25, 2023
SUBJECT:
The Illinois Municipal League's (IML) "Civility Pledge".
BACKGROUND:
On April 20, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Illinois Municipal League, of which the City is a member, announced a new initiative to focus on civility in local governments, to "encourage productive dialogue and build public trust."
As part of this initiative, IML's Board adopted a Civility Pledge and encouraged its member municipalities to follow suit.
DISCUSSION:
By population, Aurora is IML's largest member other than Chicago and our Mayors have traditionally held membership on IML's Board of Directors. As the Civility Pledge adopted by the IML is consistent with the practices and principles long held by the City Council, this is an opportunity to provide early support the IML's initiative and join its Board in encouraging that other municipalities consider adopting the pledge as well.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Passage of this Resolution will help our elected and appointed officials continue to keep civility in mind as they perform their official duties on behalf of City residents.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We respectfully request passage of this Resolution.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution adopting the Civility Pledge proposed by the Illinois Municipal League.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council recognize that the public exchange of diverse ideas, viewpoints and robust debate are essential to democratic self-governance; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council recognize the importance of engaging in free and spirited debate, while maintaining the highest standards of civility, honesty and mutual respect; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has previously articulated these principles in its enactment of Sec. 2-103 of the Code of Ordinances, which prohibits the "personal remarks, the impugning of motives, and merely contentious statements" or "otherwise engaging in conduct injurious to the harmony of the [City C]ouncil;" and
WHEREAS, the City is a member of the Illinois Municipal League (IML), a statewide association representing local communities throughout Illinois; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2023, the Board of Directors of the IML, recognizing a growing need for civility at all levels of government, particularly at the local level, adopted a civility pledge ("Civility Pledge") and encouraged its member municipalities to incorporate its principles throughout their respective communities; and
WHEREAS, the Civility Pledge states,
“In the interest of civility, I pledge to promote civility by listening, being respectful of others, acknowledging that we are all striving to support and improve our community and understanding that we each may have different ideas for achieving that objective;”
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WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have determined that principles set forth in the Civility Pledge are consistent with those previously articulated by the City Council and in the best interests of the City and its residents; and
WHEREAS, in order to publicly declare a commitment to civil discourse and to express concern for the common good and wellbeing of all residents of the City, the Mayor and City Council have determined it to be in the best interests of the City and its residents that this Resolution be adopted
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals shall be and are hereby incorporated as findings of fact as if said recitals were fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The Civility Pledge as set forth in this Resolution is hereby adopted.
Section 3. The elected and appointed officials of the City, including members of the City's respective boards and commissions, are asked to sign the Civility Pledge and adhere to it during all public meetings and whenever performing their official duties.
Section 4. That the corporate authorities of other municipalities, units of local government, and school districts are respectfully encouraged to consider the appropriateness of adopting the Civility Pledge, or other similar practices to foster the principles embodied in the Pledge.