Villa Park board adopts resolution calling for immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza after extensive public comment

Trustee Deepa Kumar read a draft resolution calling for the immediate release of hostages and an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, asserting that the board ‘‘decry[s] violence of any sort and believe[s] in dignity and basic human rights for all people.’’ The resolution also calls for compliance with international humanitarian law, protections for civilians and humanitarian access, and urges the U.S. government to reassess weapons policies cited as contributing to civilian harm.

The measure followed extensive public comment. Residents including Banish Khurshid, Nancy Roberts and Anita Abdeen described direct concerns about safety, humanitarian conditions and historic parallels and asked the board to act. Khurshid said passing the resolution would ‘‘be a sign for everyone living in Villa Park that this is a welcoming community’’ and urged trustees to ‘‘please pass this resolution.’’ Anita Abdeen, who described surviving genocide, asked trustees to ‘‘stand up for justice’’ and not delay voting.

Trustees debated procedure and substance. President Cazell cautioned that such a resolution is largely a political statement with no direct local authority and said individual trustees may petition state and federal representatives instead. Trustee Cozart, Trustee Patrick and others spoke in favor of the resolution as a way for the board to give voice to residents, to set an example, and to urge elected officials at higher levels to act.

Board legal counsel reminded trustees that procedural rules require clarity about the text being considered; the board amended the draft to correct scrivener’s errors and to reorder language so the commitment that ‘‘all people in Villa Park feel safe in their identity’’ appears first.

Clerk Konecki called the roll on the amended resolution. Trustees Corkery, Cordova, Alfano, Cozart, Kumar and Patrick voted yes; President Cazell voted no. The chair announced the resolution passed and that it would be sent out following publication and correction of any minor scrivener errors.

The resolution directs no local enforcement action and does not change village operations; it is a formal statement of the board’s position and an appeal to state and federal leaders and the international community. The board did not attach implementation tasks or a requirement for follow‑up reports. The next regular meeting was set for March 25.