Orland Park Trustee Apologizes After Comments Attacking Unions
ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park trustee on Wednesday back-pedaled after commentary attacking unions during the Village Board meeting Sept. 3.
Reading from what appears to be a prepared statement Tuesday, Trustee William Healy offered his stance on labor unions and their contributions to society. Healy stammered his way through the statement.
“I always considered Labor Day one of the best Socialist holidays of the year, and being an anti-Socialist, and probably anti-social, too, I worked seven hours on Labor Day, just to say I’m not part of that group,” Healy said.
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Healy went on to enumerate ways in which he feels unions have been problematic to society.
“Labor Day represents a celebration of all the good the unions have brought to our country and state, and you can thank the unions for putting Kim Foxx in office, and other anti-police government officials,” Healy said. “You can thank the unions for making the SAFE-T Act possible, by electing … having … providing the funds to have those people elected.
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“You can thank the unions for promoting, the people who make the laws, that make all the open borders, all the crimes coming in our state … for providing the money, for uhh, providing for … providing the money to elect all these people with their liberal, Socialist ideas.”
Healy’s remarks can be heard at the 48-minute, 25-second mark in the video below.
“You should all look into how much money the unions actually provide, it’s astounding,” Healy said.
“You can thank them, these proud union members, sometimes you see the sign—I’m not so sure what they’re proud about. We may see a number of …. I think I’d rather just go on by my own way, and not require a paid holiday. I’d rather earn what I get, and have the self-respect of making my own way in the country. Anyway, that’s my union comments for tonight….”
On Wednesday, Healy issued a public apology.
“At last night’s Village of Orland Park Board Meeting, I let my emotions and some past history get the better of me and made comments that, upon reflection, were regrettable and understandably offended a number of people,” the statement reads.
“I want to be clear that I have nothing but appreciation and gratitude for all patriotic, hardworking, union and non-union American workers, particularly those who live and work in Orland Park including the Village’s dedicated employees. Their commitment to Orland Park is essential to the strength of our community.
“I sincerely apologize to everyone for my remarks and will commit to doing better in the future.”
Residents responded to the apology, some calling it “hollow,” and his comments during the meeting premeditated.
“… What a meandering, off the rails, (prepared!) speech he made,” one resident said. “I wonder why no one intervened at the time. No one on the board even seemed surprised.”
“What a hollow apology,” another commented. “I’ll remember it when it comes time to vote.”
Another criticized Healy’s lack of context during his comments.
“I’m not particularly leaning one way or another on unions, but this prepared statement was silly and juvenile,” the resident wrote. “The fact that he could barely speak through his notes and provided 0 context to his thoughts is disappointing. I don’t have any issues with strong opinions, but you should be able to speak intelligently and respectfully to your stance.”
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