South Cook News

Reflecting on a recent incident in which the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) protestors were removed from a Orland Park Village Council meeting, Mayor Keith Pekau told South Cook News that such events have the potential to create "division and strife" within the community and that the disruption is "not good for the community because it could potentially reinforce, just the negative stereotypes that exist, amongst the non-Arab community.”

Pekau reiterated the importance of respectful dialogue and expressed hope for a shift towards constructive, fact-based discussions on contentious issues rather than disrupting the Village’s meetings.

“That's not good for anybody, because I don't think it reflects the majority of the Muslim population. Maybe it reflects the majority of their feelings that they want to see a fair resolution. I don't know about that, but I don't think the behavior reflects anywhere near the majority of their population.”

In the wake of the incident, Pekau said the protestors quoted his comments out of context.

"I've heard from several members of the Arab community who may not agree with everything that I said, but they said you were clearly misquoted, mischaracterized and that behavior was unacceptable and should never happen,” he said.

Pekau said the Village of Orland Park had been silent on the issue so as to not stoke antipathy from either side of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“It doesn't matter where you stand on the issue, it's going to be divisive for the community and we do not need divisiveness in the community,” Pekau said.

“So we never addressed it and we just left the issue alone. We can't affect foreign policy. We can't talk to our senators and congressmen and have an effect on policy. As for what comes out of it, I don't think this was good for relations at all. But what I hope comes out of it is people learn to be respectful when they have disagreements, when they have disagreements.”

While acknowledging the widespread sympathy for civilian populations affected by the conflict, Pekau emphasized the limitations of local government in resolving international disputes, highlighting the need for direct engagement by the concerned parties for a lasting resolution.

“I don't think anybody is not sympathetic to the Gazan civilian population or, for that matter, the civilian Israeli population,” Pekau, a decorated combat veteran and former Air Force Instructor, said.  

“I'm sure it's worse right now for the Gazan population and civilian population than it is for Israel’s, but they can't be real comfortable either. I don't think any of us would want to sit in that kind of a war footing. It's horrible. No one wants to see innocent people killed. No one wants to see war. We'd like to see it end, but we're not going to end it from here. It's going to take those two sides to figure it out.”

However, Pekau added that disrupting council meetings and the lives of Illinoisans through protests is unlikely to garner sympathy for the cause.

“I don't think those protests and blocking roads, I don't think that they gain any sympathy or gain support,” he said. “I think, in fact, it stops people from listening to their concerns and some concerns are very well placed. But it stops people from listening. If you behave like that it's very unfortunate.”

Going forward, Pekau said he looks forward to getting back to normal operations.

“Crazy times,” Pekau said. “I long to go back to talking about roads and parks.”

Pekau’s comments come after the Village Board was disrupted by protestors of Palestinian descent who requested a ceasefire ordinance during the Feb. 6 council meeting.

Despite attempts to maintain order, Pekau warned of adjournment if disruptions persisted before adjourning the meeting and having the room cleared. Following a brief recess, Pekau clarified his role in local governance and spoke of his lack of influence over foreign policy.

He emphasized his commitment to representing American interests while addressing concerns over the situation in Gaza.

Meanwhile the Chicago City Council's Feb. 7 "cease-fire" resolution, labeled as non-binding, drew criticism for its one-sided approach, calling on Israel to stop fighting Hamas without addressing Hamas's attacks on Israel.

Jewish leaders in the city have condemned the resolution.

In an op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times, Neil Steinberg said the cease fire resolution is antisemitic for its omission, failing to acknowledge Hamas's actions and the complexity of the conflict.

The resolution was also criticized for oversimplifying the situation in Gaza and lacking a balanced perspective on the ongoing violence.

The incident in Orland Park comes after months of rolling protests throughout the Chicagoland region.

In one of those pro-Palestinian protests near O'Hare Airport on Dec. 23, traffic came to a standstill, prompting discussions about the city's response strategy as no arrests were made during the demonstration.

Organized by the "U.S. Palestinian Community Network," the protest involved a caravan of nearly 100 vehicles, blocking roads and disrupting travel plans during one of the busiest travel weekends.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's alleged order for police to stand down raised questions about the city's approach, while concerns about missed flights and public safety surfaced amid chaos on the roads.