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A First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 13 ("Human Rights") of the Oak Park Village Code By Adding A New Article 9 ("Gender Affirming Care")
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Introduction
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This item is a first reading of a proposed ordinance incorporating Gender Affirming Care specifically into the Village's Human Rights Ordinance.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board of Trustees has periodically amended Chapter 13 ("Human Rights") of the Village Code, with major revisions occurring in 2022 and 2017. These revisions incorporated Reproductive Health Rights protections and the Village's Welcoming Village Ordinance in the Human Rights Ordinance.
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
* The Board adopted an ordinance amending the Human Rights Ordinance by incorporating Reproductive Health Rights on July 11, 2022.
* The Board adopted an ordinance amending the Human Rights Ordinance by creating a Welcoming Village Ordinance on February 6, 2017.
Background
In 1968, the Village of Oak Park became one of the first municipalities in the country to adopt and enforce a Human Rights Ordinance. Chapter 13 of Village Code, which serves as the Village's Human Rights Ordinance, was created to serve as a comprehensive set of protections designed to ensure a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents, regardless of their background or characteristics. While originally focused on fair housing, the Ordinance has been periodically amended to incorporate additional protections aligned with the Village's values.
The most recent significant updates to the Human Rights Ordinance addressed reproductive rights and immigration enforcement. Both updates were made in alignment with State statute.
Recent federal actions, primarily through executive orders, have impacted LGBTQ+ rights and gender affirming care, and community members and advocates have shared such concerns with the Village, and the interest ...
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