After about two hours of testimony, members of the council's Committee on Human Relations overwhelmingly approved the resolution. Ald. James Balcer (11th) cast the only "no" vote, though he said he supported "95 percent of this resolution, (and) what I heard here was very, very compelling."

The measure now goes to the full City Council. Ald. Joe Moore (49th), one of its sponsors, said 29 of the council's 50 alderman either have signed or have indicated their support for the resolution.

Though some might question how much influence the City Council would have on a matter of international scope, Moore contended it would have "tremendous impact."

"It will mean that Chicago is the largest city yet to weigh in on this," he said. "It will have a cumulative effect because, as more and more cities, towns and villages pass these resolutions, it is indicative of what people at the grassroots are thinking."

"People might ask why the City Council would get involved in international questions," said U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), one of the speakers.

"The people are the decision makers," Davis said, and when they speak to members of Congress, they give lawmakers "our marching orders."

more:
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-030115counciliraq,1,4730140.story