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👉 Two Vigils in Lake Forest: 2020 Leaders Spoke, 2025 Leaders Stayed Silent
👉 From BLM to Charlie Kirk, Market Square saw two vigils — but only one had City Hall and local clergy present.
A Tale of Two Vigils: Lake Forest in 2020 vs 2025
Two vigils. One Market Square. Worlds apart in leadership.
📅 June 3, 2020 — Black Lives Matter Rally
Hundreds gathered downtown. Prominent civic and political leaders took the mic: Mayor George Pandaleon, Congressman Brad Schneider, Sen. Julie Morrison, Rep. Bob Morgan, Eric Rinehart, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham. Local pastors joined in, urging unity and condemning silence.
It was hailed as “peaceful and historic.”
👉 Read the 2020 recap here
📅 Sept 21, 2025 — Charlie Kirk Memorial Vigil
Residents braved the rain to honor a conservative voice. This time:
Find out what's happening in Lake Forest-Lake Blufffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Mayor Randy Tack ❌ absent
- City Manager Jason Wicha ❌ absent
- All aldermen ❌ absent
- Local priests ❌ declined invitations
The only clergy presence was Pastor Jim Buckman of Faith Lutheran (Lake Forest), who had the courage to lead prayer. Lake Forest Police were there. But no one from City Hall. No one from local churches.
👉 Read my 2025 op-ed here
⚖️ The Difference?
In 2020, leaders from across parties and faiths stepped forward for a national cause.
In 2025, for a local vigil, those same roles stood empty.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forest-Lake Blufffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
💡 Leadership is easy when it’s trendy. Real leadership shows up when it’s uncomfortable — regardless of politics.
What do you think, Lake Forest? Why did our leaders fill Market Square in 2020, but stay silent in 2025?
#LakeForest #Leadership #BLM #CharlieKirk #Community
