Less than 24 hours after criticizing unions, Orland Park Trustee William Healy issued a public apology.
During the Sept. 4 village board meeting, Healy used his time during the board comments section to talk about Labor Day and veered off into controversial territory.
“I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day — I always considered Labor Day to be one of the best socialist holidays of the year,” he said at the meeting. “Being an anti-socialist – and probably anti-social, too – I worked seven hours on Labor Day to say that I’m not part of that group.”
He went to say that Labor Day celebrates the good the unions brought to the country but also sarcastically said unions should be thanked for putting Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and other anti-police officials in office as well as making the SAFE-T Act possible and other issues that he disagrees with.
“You should all look into how much money the unions actually provide,” he said. “It’s astounding. You see these signs about proud unions members but I’m not so sure what they are proud about.”
He said he didn’t need a paid holiday and wants to earn what he gets and have the “self-respect of making my own way in the country.”
Blowback was apparently swift and on Sept. 5 he issued an apology via a village press release.
“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,” Healy said.
“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.”
Healy has been on the board since 2019. He ran unopposed in the 2023 election.
