Section Newsletters

Articles on Open Meetings Act

Closed sessions “wholly dedicated” to discussion of leasing property allowed under the Open Meetings Act By James W. Chipman Government Lawyers, December 2007 On July 18, 2007, the second district appellate court held that two meetings closed to the public for the purpose of discussing the lease of property owned by a public body did not violate the Open Meetings Act.
Recent case By Paul E. Freehling Administrative Law, August 2007 An exemption in The Open Meetings Act applies to tapes and minutes of the entirety of an executive session during which the sublease of real estate, including how the space was to be used by a sublessee, was discussed.
The Open Meetings Act: Recent amendments and cases By Donald A. LoBue Administrative Law, May 2007 There are many local governments in the State of Illinois.
E-mail use—When does it constitute a meeting? By John H. Brechin Administrative Law, April 2007 Public Act 94-1058 effective January 1, 2007, amends the Open Meetings Act and specifically authorizes members of a public body to attend meetings of that public body without being physically present at the site of the meeting.
The Open Meetings Act: Recent amendments and cases By Donald A. LoBue General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, February 2007 There are many local governments in the State of Illinois.
E-mail use—When does it constitute a meeting? By John H. Brechin Local Government Law, January 2007 Public Act 94-1058 effective January 1, 2007, amends the Open Meetings Act and specifically authorizes members of a public body to attend meetings of that public body without being physically present at the sight of the meeting.
Chair’s Column: The Illinois Open Meetings Act goes electronic By James W. Chipman Administrative Law, September 2006 Thanks to revisions over the last two legislative sessions, the Illinois Open Meetings Act has joined the electronic age.
New amendments to the Open Meetings Act require Web site posting By Galen T. Caldwell Government Lawyers, September 2005 Public Act 94-028, effective January 1, 2006, amends the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.) to require that: (1) notices; (2) agendas; and (3) minutes of regular meetings of a public body be posted on the public body’s Web site.
Recent case By Paul E. Freehling Administrative Law, September 2005 The recent Fourth District opinion in Henry v. Anderson, No. 04-04-0867 (Apr. 18, 2005), is a rare example of an appellate court ruling that Section 2a of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2a, was violated. 
Attorney General’s office issues Open Meetings Act opinion By Lynn Patton Local Government Law, September 2004 Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office recently issued an opinion addressing the validity of action taken at a rescheduled regular meeting of the Johnson County Board.
Gerwin v. Livingston County Board1: The Open Meetings Act and its impact on hearings By Lisle A. Stalter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2004 American Disposal Services operates a landfill in unincorporated Livingston County, near Pontiac, Illinois.
Open Meetings Act-A convenient place lies somewhere between a broom closet and a football stadium By John H. Brechin Government Lawyers, June 2004 Gerwin involved an action by a citizen alleging that a meeting held by the defendant was in violation of the Open Meetings Act because it held a meeting at a location that was not convenient to the public.
Open Meetings Act-Right to participate By John H. Brechin Government Lawyers, June 2004 The City of Cocoa enacted regulations limiting the right of non-residents to speak during its city council meetings.
Open Meetings Act- A convenient place lies somewhere between a broom closet and football stadium By John H. Brechin Local Government Law, April 2004 Gerwin involved an action by a citizen alleging that a meeting held by the defendant was in violation of the Open Meetings Act because it held a meeting at a location that was not convenient to the public.
Open Meetings Act- Right to participate By John H. Brechin Local Government Law, April 2004 The City of Cocoa enacted regulations limiting the right of non-resident to speak during its city council meetings.
High-tech hits home: Can local government officials use electronic communication tools without violating the sunshine laws? By Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. & Sharon L. Eiseman Administrative Law, July 2003 It is the public policy of this State that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business
High-tech hits home: Can local government officials use electronic communication tools without violating the sunshine laws?* By Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. & Sharon L. Eiseman Government Lawyers, May 2003 It is the public policy of this State that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business.
High-tech hits home: Can local government officials use electronic communication tools without violating the sunshine laws? By Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. & Sharon L. Eiseman Local Government Law, February 2003 It is the public policy of this State that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business.
Opening the Meetings Act to reality—abolishing the “Rule of Two” By Richard G. Flood & Stewart H. Diamond Administrative Law, October 2001 Currently the Act prohibits the exercise of free speech between elected officials on public bodies containing five or fewer members. This stifles creativity in solving public problems and inhibits debate and frank discussion of the issues. Officials cannot test their assumptions and data in advance of a public forum.
Statutory developments By Robert John Kane Administrative Law, January 1999 The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (IAPA) (5 ILCS 100/1-1 et seq.) has been amended by three Public Acts.

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