Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

McLean County slapped by Attorney General

Make sure you read the comments to this story at Blnnews.com  (Especially McLean County!)

by:  Diane Benjamin

McLean County has forgotten they work for us.  Taxpayers are merely their piggy bank.  On September 30, the Attorney General’s Public Access Office issued a BINDING opinion against the County public comment policy.  Normally the AG just writes a letter saying don’t do that again, a binding ruling means the County must change their policy.

Last June the Dupage County Auditor, Bob Grogan, wanted to speak to the Board concerning the elimination of the Auditor’s Office.  He submitted a request 4 days before the meeting instead of the 5 required by County policy.  He attended the meeting and was not allowed to speak.  Bob then filed a Request  for Review with the Attorney General’s Office.

The McLean County State’s Attorney’s office had to waste time and resources defending the County policy.  You can see the ruling here:  30194 BO 14-012

Dupage County is known as the most transparent in the State of Illinois.  Every check they write is on-line.  McLean County does NOT want to hear from citizens and they don’t want citizens knowing where money is spent.  Transparency is non-existent.  The current Auditor ran for office in 2010 saying McLean County was working on transparency, obviously that was a lie.

Here are some excerpts from the ruling:

Grogan2opinion2

One more point:

Bob Grogan filed the Request for Review on July 1st and had a binding ruling on September 30th.

Alderwoman Judy Stearns filed a Request for Review on an Open Meetings Act violation against the City of Bloomington last year and is STILL waiting for a ruling.

Evidently a mayor telling elected members of the Council he will not tolerate public criticism of City policies isn’t as important as the County limiting public comment.

Or, did the AG’s office jump on the chance to hold a mostly Republican County Board accountable while giving a Democratic mayor a pass?

Regardless, the County is now forced to clean up their act and stop treating citizens like peons.

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2 thoughts on “McLean County slapped by Attorney General”

  2. The policy the county used to justify their law-breaking expired the first Monday in December of 2012. Look at it on their webpage…
    The County needs to take out all of the offensive language in a new policy. Words like “requesting permission” and “granting permission” are not needed and are offensive for three reasons. First, public comment at meetings is a right; second, a person does not ask permission to exercise a right; and third, a right does not need to be “granted” by a county board.
    Here is a perfect policy they can use: 1. Put your name on a speaker’s list when you arrive at the meeting – 2. Wait until name is called – 3. You have 3 (or 5) minutes.
    See how simple it can be?

    Reply

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