Public Comments Policy
The Illinois Open Meetings Act provides in Section 2.06 that at meetings of public bodies, “any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body.” 5 ILCS 120/2.06(g).
The Board of Trustees welcomes public participation. This policy provides the following rules and guidelines for public participation at its meetings.
Individuals attending board meetings must conduct themselves with respect and civility toward others. Abusive, profane, threatening, or harassing language and/or personal attacks will not be permitted. The Board President or presiding officer may prohibit further comment at the meeting by a speaker whose remarks violate this rule. Photographing, filming, or recording of other patrons without their consent is not allowed.
Public comments are permitted during the time designated on the Board of Trustees meeting agenda, unless otherwise directed by the Board President.
The Board President determines the order in which speakers will be recognized.
When recognized by the Board President, the speaker should begin by stating his or her name and address.
Public comments will ordinarily be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. The Board President shall have discretion to modify this time limit, as well as to limit repetitive comments. Members of the public will not be allowed to speak a second time until all members of the public who wish to speak have been allowed to do so. The Board President will determine whether second public comments will be permitted, and if so, the appropriate amount of time for public discussion, and will end public comment at his/her discretion.
Board members are not obligated to respond to comments from the public. Issues requiring possible action by the board may be added to a future meeting agenda, and issues that can be addressed by library administration will be noted.
A copy of these guidelines will be placed next to the sign-in sheet made available to members of the public at the entrance to board meetings and on the library’s website.
Petitions or written correspondence directed to the board shall be presented to the board by the Board President or secretary at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Minutes are a summary of the board’s discussion and actions. Speaker requests to append written statements or correspondence to the minutes are not permitted. Generally, written materials presented to the board will be included in the library’s files rather than in the minutes.
The Board President shall have the authority to determine procedural matters regarding public participation not otherwise defined in these guidelines.