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Immigration debate challenge
Effect on C'ville is topic of forum

November 16, 2006
By JEANNE HOVANEC STAFF WRITER

CARPENTERSVILLE -- Two village trustees and the head of a group that bills itself as pro-legal immigration challenged Village President Bill Sarto on Wednesday to a peaceful dialogue and debate on the effects of illegal immigration on the village.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Robert Sperlazzo, flanked by Trustees Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt, issued the challenge to Sarto.
» Click to enlarge image
Carpentersville village Trustee Paul Humpfer watches as fellow Trustee Judy Sigwalt discusses a proposed town hall forum on the effects of illegal immigration on Carpentersville.


SCOTT M. BORT Staff Photographer

Set tentatively for Nov. 28 in the auditorium of Lakewood School, the debate will focus on "Illegal Immigration's Effects on Carpentersville."

The forum is in response to an accusation by Sperlazzo's nonprofit group, Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration, that Sarto has been ignoring First Amendment free speech rights and has been censoring debate on the immigration issue.

Carpentersville's controversial proposed Illegal Alien Immigration Relief Act, which drew 3,000 protesters to village hall last month, became the catalyst for the formation of Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration. The ordinance is based on one passed in Hazleton, Pa., that sought to address illegal immigration on a local level.

The ordinance would establish English as Carpentersville's official language and would set fines for employers and landlords who aid and abet illegal aliens.

Carpentersville trustees tabled the local version of the ordinance, opting to wait for the results of a constitutional challenge to the Pennsylvania town's law.

"The town hall forum is for a discussion that is long overdue," Humpfer said. "The president has gone to great lengths to squash all debate."
'Not about race'
In front of about 40 people -- mostly senior citizens -- at West Dundee's VFW Hall, Sperlazzo explained that the debate panel would consist of himself, Humpfer, Sigwalt and, hopefully, Sarto and "primary supporters of his controversial policy," preferably Village Trustee Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski and Jesse Bereles, a real estate agent and member of the Carpentersville Community Alliance.

The panel would be moderated by Eileen Byrne of WLS 890-AM, while members of the audience ask questions.

"This is not about race but what is legal," Sperlazzo said to the crowd while it applauded in approval. "We are not deaf to the other side, and I hope they are not going to be deaf to us as well."

Sarto and Ramirez-Sliwinski were not present at the event but did say they were told by Village Manager Craig Anderson that they received letters from Sperlazzo earlier that afternoon. Although Sarto had not read the letter yet, he said he was wary of the reason for the discussion.

"If the group wants to get information on immigration and what is legally available for local governments to do, why don't they ask our congressmen to attend so they can speak to the people on this issue?" Sarto said. "It would be more productive to get information from someone who truly knows the law and what we can or can't do."
Security, legal issues
In addition, Sarto said he was concerned over the legality of the debate.

"I think I need to speak to the village attorney before I can respond to this," he said. "But there are legal problems here from what I can see. Who is going to make a determination of police and security that would be there or needed to be there?"

The group has addressed issues that have been a factor for Carpentersville meetings in the past, such as security and venue problems. Sperlazzo informed the audience that the event will comply with Illinois' Open Meetings Act. He said there would be ample security present to "assure the peace and to ensure the safety of everyone."

He said 500 tickets would be available in advance and at the door for a suggested $5 donation to help defray the cost of the forum. He said it would be open to Carpentersville residents first and, if space remained, anyone else who would like to attend.

When asked if Community Unit School District 300 officials already had given their approval of using one of their facilities, Sigwalt told the crowd that the group has been speaking with District 300's assistant superintendent of operations, Chuck Bumbales, who said the district probably would give its approval as long as the nonprofit could show proof of insurance for the event. Sigwalt assured the crowd that the group already has received positive feedback from insurance agents.

"People just want to be heard," Sigwalt said. "It's our job to make sure your concerns are addressed. We are not just here for cutting ribbons and kissing babies."