By:  Diane Benjamin

Some public bodies still ask you to state your address before speaking during Public Comment.  You are not required to according to the law.

See this 2014 opinion from the Illinois Attorney General’s office:    http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/pdf/opinions/2014/14-009.pdf

This paragraph sums up the decision:

The Town of Normal and the Unit 5 School Board need to stop asking!

Providing your address is not only not required, it can jade the opinions of the public body you are addressing.  The purpose of Public Comment is your right under the Constitution to be heard.  See the First Amendment:

. . . or abridging the freedom of speech. . .  and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.  

If you don’t know your other rights under the Constitution, brush up!

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