By: Diane Benjamin

I’ve been waiting years for someone to file with the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access division concerning their policies. Public Comment is Freedom of Speech and a 1st Amendment Right to address grievances with YOUR government. McLean County thinks you need to give them 24 hours notice if you want to speak.

Illinois does one thing right. Public Access despises units of government with printed policies that obviously violate your rights. Remember Normal was forced numerous times to change their policy? Public Access forced changes after citizens filed numerous complaints.

Now it’s the County’s turn! People who wish to speak should only be required to sign up 15 minutes before a meeting. They can’t be required to provide anything but their name, no address.

Hop back to 2014 when the County was found guilty of violating the Open Meetings Act when their policy required people wishing to speak sign up 5 days in advance – long before an agenda was even posted. See the ruling here: https://foiapac.ilag.gov/content/pdf/opinions/2014/14-012.pdf

Normal had to be reported more than once before they pretended to comply with OMA, so far it’s taken the County twice. Signing up 24 hours in advance is ridiculous and proves they don’t want citizens voicing opinions at any County meeting.

It will be fun to see how the 10 democrats and 10 republicans Board members respond to this filing. I’m doing this story because it was leaked to me and I bet the Board members haven’t been told. I wonder who will respect the rights of citizens and who thinks government doesn’t have to listen? Stay tuned.