Kendall Township Adopts Proclamation of Gratitude to Almighty God
Local residents and Defend LaSalle supporters gather as proclamation effort crosses county lines
Kendall Township | Yorkville Herald
Kendall Township made local history on September 15, becoming the first township in Kendall County to adopt the Proclamation of Gratitude to Almighty God and Recurrence to Fundamental Principles.
The proclamation originated with The United States Patriots Society, whose Kendall County Chapter brought it before Kendall Township for consideration. Kendall Township residents attended the meeting in support of the measure, while members of Defend LaSalle traveled from neighboring LaSalle County to encourage the board and support its passage.
Defend LaSalle had previously carried the proclamation into LaSalle County after it was introduced to the organization by The United States Patriots Society. There, Northville Township became the first governing board to adopt it. Kendall Township’s action now marks the proclamation’s first township adoption in Kendall County.
The proclamation calls upon communities to recognize the 250th anniversary of American independence as an opportunity to reflect upon the principles of American government, liberty and faith.
It draws upon language and principles already embedded in the nation’s and state’s founding documents, including the Illinois Constitution’s acknowledgment of gratitude to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty enjoyed by the people of Illinois.
Because Kendall Township has a policy governing proclamation word length, the original proclamation had to be shortened to meet the township’s requirements. Kendall Township’s proclamation policy was formally approved by the board in February 2025 after review by township legal counsel.
Some of the supporting language was removed, but the spirit and central purpose of the proclamation remained intact.
The proclamation adopted by Kendall Township reads:
PROCLAMATION OF GRATITUDE TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND RECURRENCE TO FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
WHEREAS, Kendall Township, acting in its official representative capacity, recognizes the 250th anniversary of American Independence as an opportunity for our community to rededicate itself as “One Nation Under God,” reaffirming that the blessings of liberty and the promise of the future depend not solely upon human effort, but upon trust in God’s guidance and providence; and
WHEREAS, the principles that secured American independence and formed the foundations of the United States of America, the State of Illinois, and Kendall Township were deeply influenced by the Christian tradition and its understanding of law, liberty, justice, and human dignity; and
WHEREAS, the People of Illinois, in their Constitution, express gratitude to Almighty God for the civil, political, and religious liberty they enjoy and seek His blessing upon their endeavors.
On this day, Kendall Township encourages all citizens to study and reflect upon the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the principles of civil and religious liberty that have shaped our history.
ADOPTED this 15th day of September, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six, and in the Two Hundred Fiftieth Year of American Independence.
The proclamation’s reference to the Illinois Constitution reflects its Preamble, in which the People of Illinois express gratitude to Almighty God for their civil, political and religious liberty. Its title also draws upon Article I, Section 23, which declares that “a frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of civil government is necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.”
Support for the proclamation at the September 15 meeting came from both sides of the county line.
Kendall Township residents were present to support action by their own local government, while Defend LaSalle members traveled from LaSalle County to stand alongside them. The gathering brought together the Kendall County Chapter of The United States Patriots Society, which presented the proclamation locally, and Defend LaSalle, which had already been advancing it before governmental bodies in LaSalle County.
The occasion also comes as Kendall Township has emphasized civic education, including promotion of a civic engagement course focused on the Constitution and America’s form of government.
The proclamation adds another element to that civic discussion by encouraging residents to study the Declaration of Independence, the federal and state constitutions, and the principles of civil and religious liberty that have shaped the nation.
What happened in Kendall Township is also part of something larger that began on a national stage earlier this year.
On May 17, 2026, Americans gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving. The gathering included Scripture, testimony, prayer and worship and culminated in a collective rededication of the country as “One Nation under God.” Organizers described the event as an opportunity to give thanks for God’s providence throughout 250 years of American history and to seek His blessing, guidance and grace for the next 250 years.
The date was intentionally chosen for its historical significance: May 17, 2026, marked 250 years since the Continental Congress called the colonies to a day of fasting and prayer during the Revolutionary era. You can read more about the event here.
What was expressed nationally in May is now being affirmed in local communities.
Northville Township affirmed it in LaSalle County. On September 15, Kendall Township affirmed it in Kendall County.
For those advancing the proclamation, the hope is that the movement will continue from township to township, county to county and community to community: Americans giving thanks to Almighty God, returning to the fundamental principles upon which their liberties depend, and carrying the spirit of that national rededication home.
What began with a national call to rededicate America as One Nation under God is now taking root locally, with supporters hoping it will continue to spread until communities across the nation once again affirm their dependence upon God and the nation is restored unto Him.
