Plan Commissioner Resigns After Social Media Comment

MOKENA, IL — Planning commission and Zoning Board of Appeal member Dan Ray has announced his immediate resignation from both positions. The resignation comes after Southwest Suburban Activist president Emily Biegel called for his removal after he made a comment in a social media thread.

The comment concerned the activist group's recent appeal to Mokena to "not glorify the confederacy" by the inclusion of a Confederate reenactment group who shot off cannons during the Fourth of July festivities.

According to Biegel, Ray had posted in a social media thread, and asked if the cannons could be aimed at the Southwest Suburban Activists.

At the July 8 board meeting, Mayor Frank Fleischer said the village was reviewing the matter regarding Ray.

Ray submitted his brief letter of resignation to the village on July 16.

The letter reads, "I, Dan Ray, am resigning my position as a member of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately. I would like to thank [the mayor and board] for allowing me to serve the village of Mokena."