RESOLUTION
WHEREAS a recent poll by the Georgetown Institute of Public Service found that 63% of voters believe decreasing levels of respect among colleagues within legislative bodies and incivility during public meetings is a serious threat to our democratic system of government, and
WHEREAS the Mayor and members of the Chicago 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 members of the Chicago 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 Illinois Municipal League (IML) has prepared a Civility Pledge which promotes the core tenets of civility, and has launched a statewide initiative to encourage all 1,295 municipal governments in Illinois to adopt the Pledge, 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;" and
WHEREAS in his Inaugural Speech, President Abraham Lincoln addressed Congress with the admonition, "We are not enemies, but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break the bonds of affection," and
WHEREAS in order to publicly declare a commitment to civil discourse and to express concern for the common good and welfare of all residents of the City of Chicago, the Mayor and members of the City Council are hereby encouraged to adhere at all times in the course of their duties to the tenets expressed in the Civility Pledge, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council are respectfully asked individually to affirm their signature on the pledge document as presented to this Honorable Body by the Illinois Mun...
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