Vote “Yes” On The Referendum

Because of Freedom to Thrive Oak Park’s efforts to research, gather data, and analyze policing in Oak Park, people have asked us how they should vote on the non-binding resolution that will be on the April 6th ballot, which reads: "Shall the Village of Oak Park defund its police department?" We can see why people are struggling with how to vote on this referendum—even if they do believe in defunding the police and reinvesting resources in non-police responses to incidents involving issues like mental health, domestic violence, homelessness, and challenges that affect our youth. Some people are concerned that this referendum was brought forth by members of the Village board in order to confuse people and create divisiveness during an election season. Others rightly point out that the referendum’s language is too vague and does not really explain what people are even voting for.

Here at Freedom to Thrive Oak Park, our answer is that you should vote “yes” on the referendum—not just because it is time for a serious look at policing and community safety in Oak Park. But also because we think it is time to build on the discussions we have had in our community and move towards tangible actions we can make so that everyone feels safe in our community. We should be asking ourselves whether there are better ways to approach community safety in Oak Park. A “yes” vote on the referendum is not the end of the issue, but it can be the beginning of reimagining safety in our community.

Before the Village Board voted through this advisory referendum question, we wrote: 

“The issue of defunding the police will require difficult conversations, a hard look at the practices and results of the current model of policing, and a commitment to the notion that our community can do better by its residents. It’s beyond time for the Village Board to act on this issue. And if this board refuses to do so, then we hope that Oak Park voters elect new Trustees who will take this issue seriously and actually have the political courage to reimagine community safety in Oak Park.” 

To date, since we released our first report, the Village Board has yet to have a serious conversation on why it is that we spend so much money on police. Furthermore, the Village Board and Chief of Police have yet to respond to the publication of Freedom of Information Act data from their own government that shows evidence of racial profiling by Oak Park police. Regardless of the outcome of the referendum, we must all continue to do the work to reimagine community safety in Oak Park, so that we invest in solutions that promote safety and prevent harm. We hope that, regardless of the outcome of the referendum vote, the new Village Board will begin in earnest, the process of examining and working to change how we approach safety in our community. 

A “Yes” vote can help send a message that it is time for our Village to truly engage on this critical issue. We urge you to vote “yes” and join us as we reimagine our world so that everyone has the freedom to thrive.