By: Diane Benjamin
The agenda for the Saturday Council retreat has been posted. They plan to spend the first 3 HOURS in a secret meeting to discuss this section of the law:
Closed Session:
Self-Evaluation of practices and procedures or professional ethics, when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(16)
(approximately 3 hours)
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Laws are only for us little people – not City officials. 3 hours isn’t set aside to discuss how you should act “when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member”!
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Here’s the law – of which Section 16 is a subset of (c): http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=84&ChapterID=2
(Text of Section from P.A. 98-1027) Sec. 2. Open meetings. (a) Openness required. All meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public unless excepted in subsection (c) and closed in accordance with Section 2a. (b) Construction of exceptions. The exceptions contained in subsection (c) are in derogation of the requirement that public bodies meet in the open, and therefore, the exceptions are to be strictly construed, extending only to subjects clearly within their scope. The exceptions authorize but do not require the holding of a closed meeting to discuss a subject included within an enumerated exception. (c) Exceptions. A public body may hold closed meetings to consider the following subjects:.
Hales and Renner are going to pretend the part about “meeting with a representative . . .” doesn’t exist.
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They will clearly be violating the Open Meetings Act by holding this meeting. Who will care?
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Attorney General Lisa Madigan NEVER made a final ruling on the Open Meetings Act violation Judy Stearns filed against the City of Bloomington for the illegal Executive Session in 2013. Madigan’s failure to act has made Renner and Hales feel invincible.
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Understand why Illinois is the LAND OF CORRUPTION?
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Why do I get the feeling this secret meeting is ONLY to make Bloomington just like Normal? Nobody spoke against raising taxes in Normal. Nobody ever does – those people represent Koos, not the people.
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Tari wants the same allegiance from his Council. Unfortunately for him, he has that pesky Alderman Kevin Lower to deal with. Only ONE WARD (Kevin’s) has representation on the Council. Congrats Bloomington.
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Kevin will be a huge target for the next election.
Imagine 9 potted plants on the Council. Gee, just like Normal.
I am curious about the retreat. Is it mandatory? Personally if I were a council member I would even go to this stupid retreat. Be out of town with car problems,,,ah shucks I can’t make it. Or, oh gee I forgot all about it!
Don’t know if it is mandatory but if I were a Councilperson I would go for self preservation purposes. Corporate retreats are used to promote teamwork and solidarity for the purpose of reaching the corporate goals. The facilitator is trained in psycho-babble to manipulate the group to a given end.
So much for that being “the people’s rep” stuff.
If it wasn’t “mandatory” I just wouldn’t go.
Ugh! That’s just what I need. Imagining the Bloomington Council roasting marshmallows as Tari and David sing campfire songs. Maybe Kevin Lower can put on a Jason Voorhies mask and scare them by saying the FBI is coming. Gotta hand it to Alderman Lower. If I were him, maybe I would commit some details to memory and offer it up at the next town hall. I have a feeling there may be another level put on the coliseum when the retreat is over.
A story in the Pantagraph interviewed Mathy at the new health clinic on Franklin Ave.–not sure of his connection to that project. I guess the campaigning has already begun unless he was simply providing muffins from his wife’s bakery.
Yes, Mathy is running against Lower
Open Meetings Act apparently does not apply to McLean county. I have felt this affront to citizens rights myself. Our states attorneys both local and state ignores the rules. Someone needs to record this bullsh*t. hopefully your friends at the Tribune will turn on the lights. Corruption can’t stand the light of day or open meetings. When I challenged the Open Meetings Act….cost me 17k to prove I was right. Not good for someone with spare cash.
Sent from my iPhone
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to bad the little people cant crash the party since the little ppl r paying for it
You can attend in the afternoon after 12:00
Public comment is early!
I’m ready to run against Mboka. Bring on the election. Yes, I am a Dem, but I am a Dem that recognizes things need to be shaken up and bi-partisanship has many positives!!
Do you know how to say NO?
I absolutely do Diane! I’m one that cannot be bullied, pushed around, or persuaded.
I’m ready!!
Start networking in your ward! It’s not too early.