The Illinois Open Meetings Act was first passed in 1957 and has been updated many times to reflect the changes in our society and how public bodies conduct business for the good of the public. The goal of the Open Meetings Act is to provide an avenue for open government and prevent secret deliberations of matters that should be conducted in the public view.
Here are a few simple things you can do to make sure that you are operating in compliance with the Act:
Public Notice: Meeting times and locations of all regular meetings must be posted in a visible location at the beginning of each fiscal or calendar year stating the date, time, and location of each regular meeting at both the location of each meeting as well as the main location of the public body. An agenda is required to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meeting at both the location of the meeting and the main location of the public body.
Taping and Filming: All open meetings can be taped or filmed. If the public body is doing the taping or filming, these items are subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
Minutes of Open Meetings: Written minutes must be taken during the meeting. These minutes must be available for public viewing within 7 days after they have been approved.
Additionally, beginning In January 2007, a new amendment will almost certainly go into effect that will once again update the Open Meetings Act. This change, introduced by Rep. Robert F. Flider, further defines what a “meeting” is and addresses the use of electronic means to conduct public business:
Amends the Open Meetings Act. Redefines a "meeting" to include gatherings, whether in person or by telephone call, electronic means, or other means of interactive communication, of a majority of a quorum of the members of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business (now, a meeting is defined as a gathering of a majority of a quorum of the members of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business) Full text of HB1057.
These changes could potentially impact the way that your board conducts business because it means that a quorum can no longer be obtained in an electronic setting—“a majority of the quorum must be physically present at the place designated in the notice of the meeting” (Attorney General’s Web site.
More information about this change can be obtained by contacting Lincoln Trail Libraries System or the Office of the Attorney General.
