The Oak Park Village Board approved three important Proclamations Tuesday evening, June 9. I am grateful for these commitments to take action commensurate with our community values on:
Pride Month
Juneteenth (June 19, 2026)
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
As a gun violence prevention advocate, I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the gun violence presentation and be encouraged by the proclamation, which began:
“WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe …”
The comments made by two respondents were powerful and moving. Alison Gerard shared her story of trauma, ongoing struggle, and healing while being shot while jogging in Oak Park in 2021.
Rev. Michael Hayes, a chaplain at Loyola Hospital for gun victims and their families, shared these inspiring words of encouragement Tuesday evening:
“We will fail this moment if we make of it an occasion to memorialize our sorrows. Let us rather choose to own in this moment our birthright to a community of harmony and soaring hopes. Let us beat our swords into ploughshares, our spears into pruning hooks and let us study war no more.”
I say “Yes!” to these powerful words!
Lois Thiessen Love
Gun Responsibility Advocates
Oak Park