West Cook News

The River Forest Board of Trustees approved construction of a second flagpole at Village Hall specifically for “commemorative flags” used to express “village-official sentiments,” according to a Feb. 12 memorandum.

The “second flagpole” will be 25 feet tall, five feet shorter than the “first flagpole” and will be installed by Flagpoles Etc. of Wixom, Mich. at a taxpayer cost of $4,236.37.  

The unanimous vote to fly commemorative flags on their own flagpole came at the Feb. 12 board meeting and required an update to the Villages freshly inked Outdoor Flagpole Display Policy adding: “Commemorative Flags is defined as a flag that identifies with a specific historical event, cause, nation, or group of people that the Village Board chooses to honor or commemorate consistent with the Village’s mission and priorities.”  

The policy came about in 2021 when Trustee Erika Bachner had a “desire to see the gay pride flag flying on the Village hall, according to the Wednesday Journal.  

The policy states “The Village’s flag poles are not intended to serve as, nor serve as, a forum for free expression by the public”, and that only Village Board members may request to display a commemorative flag.  

The policy limits “commemorative flags” to the same size or smaller than the US and State flags flown and limits “commemorative flag” flying to 31 days.  

These flags “shall be displayed in the lowest position of honor, beneath the Village of River Forest flag.”

West Cook News reported River Forest officials commemorating transgenderism by flying a progress flag on “flagpole one,” and inviting elementary-age students from its District 90 schools where leadership had recently added Administrative Procedure 7:10: Accommodating Transgender and Gender Expansive Students to “promote inclusiveness and equity for all students.”

West Cook News isn’t aware of whether flying the American Flag has been debated among officials; however, the Village’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee, led by Trustee Erika Bachner, did vote 20-6 not to pledge allegiance to the American flag that was customary at official Village proceedings.

The River Forest Village board is led by Catherine Adduci, President, and trustees Kathleen Brennan, Erika Bachner, Robert O'Connell, Lisa Gillis, Ken Johnson and Respicio F. Vazquez.

Read about the new flagpole from the Village of River Forest Trustees Meeting here.