UCC minister spearheads passing of Historic civility bill in Illinois

The Illinois State House recently passed a historical Civility Resolution championed by Pastor Anthony Williams, something he has been working toward for a long time. The bill declares August 2026 as Civility Month in the State of Illinois, and commends South Suburban College for its commitment to promoting respectful dialogue, civic engagement, inclusion, and community-building throughout the region. It was adopted on May 30, 2026.

“Illinois is the first state to embrace civility as something to be celebrated,” said Williams. “Civility is what human beings can use to counteract violence. It is the antidote to violence. The passage of this bill is the first step to fighting violence correctly.”

Williams has long been working to make civility a way of life in the United States. Having lost his oldest son Nehemiah to violence back in 2018, the cause is especially close to Williams’ heart. He was instrumental in the passing of the Illinois Health Reform Bill in 2021 which declared violence public health crisis.

Williams is the former pastor of the First Congregational Church of Berwyn just outside of Chicago. “The United Church of Christ was the first church to take a position on violence as a healthcare crisis. This is part of the movement for social justice.”

“If we don’t become a civil nation we will not continue,” warned Williams. “It starts with our President and flows down. This is why we are an uncivil nation at the moment.”

Williams thanked those who helped with the effort. “State Representative Will Davis saw the need and was instrumental in getting this passed. And I also want to thank the United Church of Christ, it’s because of the UCC’s support I’ve been able to move this forward,” he shared.

The Rev. Michael Neuroth, director of the UCC’s Office of Public Policy & Advocacy said, “A call to civility is a delicate one. Too often throughout history, ‘civility’ has been misused by those in power to pacify struggles for justice.”

Neuroth continued, congratulating Williams. “But civility, at its core, remains a critical step, as it pauses violence in order to make space for connection, truth-telling, and ultimately peacebuilding. Rev. Anthony Williams and others in Chicago have been working on this statewide resolution in support of civility for years, and its recent passage is a major milestone. Such a commitment to civility is needed not only in Illinois, but across the nation. Civility itself is not the end goal, but instead a step toward the real and just peace that God intends for all people. May that peace one day come to Chicago, and to all our communities!”

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