A second flagpole will be installed in front of River Forest Village Hall to allow flying of commemorative flags after the village board approved the measure Feb. 12.
Adding a second flagpole was first discussed in May. In June, the matter was brought back to the village board but tabled until specifics regarding cost of the project and details on height and location were provided.
The five trustees present Feb. 12 voted unanimously to purchase a 25-foot flagpole from Michigan-based Flagpoles Etc. for $4,236.37. Trustee Lisa Gillis did not attend.
Flagpoles Inc.’s bid was the lower of two received. The cost includes installation. The second flagpole will be 25 feet high, lower than the 30-foot height of the current flagpole and will accommodate three flags.
Village administrator Matt Walsh said he expects delivery of the flagpole to happen by mid-May, based on expected lead times. The installation should take one day, he added.
In related action, officials adopted a revised flag policy, updating a policy adopted in 2021 that was created to help navigate the “Public Forum” doctrine contained in the First Amendment when flying commemorative flags on the village flagpole. The updated policy includes specific references to the second pole and the placement of commemorative flags. The policy states that the village board can specify locations with each respective resolution.
According to the policy, commemorative flags will be displayed only if authorized by a resolution adopted by the village board and only if the request is made by a member of the village board at least 60 days in advance unless shortened by the village board.
Officials were told in 2021 that a village flagpole flying only the United States flag is considered a nonpublic forum as opposed to a traditional public forum or limited or designated public forum.
“The village’s flag poles are not intended to serve as, nor serve as, a forum for free expression by the public. The village shall display commemorative flags only if authorized by the village board through a commemorative or honorary resolution adopted by the village board, as an expression of the village’s official sentiments,” the policy reads.
According to the policy, commemorative flags shall be displayed for a period of time that is reasonable or customary for the subject that is to be commemorated, but no longer than 31 continuous days. Annual commemorations shall be considered on an annual basis. Commemorative flags shall only be displayed on the second flagpole and shall be displayed in the last position of honor, beneath the village of River Forest flag. Commemorative flags also must be the same size or smaller than the United States and State of Illinois flags that are flown.
Since adoption of the policy, flags flown on the single village hall flagpole have included the Ukrainian national flag and a flag commemorating Pride Month.