Thread: Carpentersville OKs ENGLISH-ONLY RESOLUTION

Carpentersville OKs English-only resolution
Non-binding language resolution criticized by mayor

Published June 20, 2007
(The headline as published has been corrected in this text.)

The Carpentersville Village Board voted 5-2 on Tuesday night to make English the official language in a suburb that is 40 percent Latino.



English-only law protest (Tribune photo by Terry Harris)
June 19, 2007




"The best thing we can do is promote teaching English," said Trustee Judy Sigwalt, who spearheaded the measure that makes English the official language in business with the village.

Having several languages spoken "is what's tearing this country apart and my community," she said.

The vote came during a raucous meeting that was disrupted several times by protesters, many of whom were bused in from Chicago.

Carpentersville, which has about 37,000 residents, joins Hampshire as the two northwest suburban municipalities that have approved largely symbolic English-language measures this year.

Illegal immigration has been a hot topic in Carpentersville since last fall when Sigwalt and another trustee introduced a measure designed to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and to deny licenses to businesses that employ them. The proposal is modeled after a measure in Hazleton, Pa., which is now before the courts.

Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto, who opposes the proposed crackdown on illegal immigration, called the English-language measure "a very big mistake that's not going to make any difference other than telling people we are not a welcoming community."

Sarto failed again Tuesday to get trustees to vote on the landlord and business crackdown measure in his effort to end nearly seven months of debate that he says has given the suburb "a black eye."

It was the second consecutive Village Board meeting at which Sarto has tried to bring it to a vote. He pledged to keep raising the issue until trustees reach a decision.

------------

rquintanilla@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 0473.story

Excellent!! Let's hope this catches on.

WooooHOOOOO!

The vote came during a raucous meeting that was disrupted several times by protesters, many of whom were bused in from Chicago.

Where in the world do these folks come up with the time and money?

They bused in a bully mob and lost!! They have to take their lumps and learn ENGLISH!