BURR RIDGE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADO) -- The Village Board in southwest suburban Burr Ridge passed a resolution Monday calling for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso said he fully supports the resolution, which also calls for "the release of hostages and those unjustly held."
He said the resolution represents a nonpartisan effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and promote stability in the region.
"Some people may question whether this resolution is village business. It is my opinion as the mayor of this village that this is village business," Grasso added.
"It concerns the safety and well being of innocent lives. It does matter because humanitarian causes matter."
In the public comment section many commended and thanked the board.
"You are not only representing the values of compassion and justice, but also demonstrating your commitment to addressing issues that reach halfway across the world and impact us right here," said one resident named Peter.
Others urged for more specific language.
"I appreciate the resolution and the way it's been drafted, but I do request that you consider using the term 'genocide," one commentator said regarding the situation in Gaza.
"What's the reason for shying away from presenting it the way it is," another questioned.
Other municipalities, including Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Villa Park and Urbana, have passed similar resolutions in recent weeks.
The death toll from the war in Gaza has surpassed 33,000, the territory's Health Ministry said. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.
The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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