Brian Crowley on Virtual Meetings

PAC Issues Binding Opinion Regarding Alleged OMA Violations for Improper Board Meeting Action and Remote Participation

The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued its seventh binding opinion of the year, finding a Village Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by taking improper action to authorize the purchase of a...more

8/16/2024 / Board Meetings , Board of Trustees , Illinois , Open Meetings Act , Public Entities , Public Works , Remote Working , Virtual Meetings

The Era of Fully Remote Board Meetings Is Over: Returning to Pre-COVID Remote Attendance Requirements

As we announced on our blog last week, Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 disaster proclamation ended on May 11. This signals the end of optional remote attendance at meetings and a return to pre-COVID era requirements for remote...more

5/16/2023 / Administrative Agencies , Administrative Proceedings , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Open Meetings Act , Quorum , Remote Proceedings , Virtual Meetings

Illinois PAC Issues Binding Decision Authorizing Remote Meetings Under the OMA

In a rare binding opinion, the Public Access Counselor (PAC)—the division of the Attorney General that reviews appeals regarding the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA)—issued a new binding...more

2/1/2022 / Educational Institutions , FOIA , Open Meetings Act , PACs , Public Access Laws , Regulatory Standards , School Boards , Virtual Meetings

Virtual Board Meetings may Soon be coming to an End

On Friday, June 25, 2021, Governor Pritzker extended the Disaster Declaration related to COVID-19 for another 30 days. Pursuant to the declaration, public bodies may continue to hold virtual meetings in accordance with the...more

6/29/2021 / Board Meetings , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Corporate Governance , Governor Pritzker , Infectious Diseases , Open Meetings Act , Public Entities , School Boards , State and Local Government , Virtual Meetings

Is the End Near? For Virtual Board Meetings in Illinois, It May Soon Be

On Friday, June 25, 2021, Governor Pritzker extended the Disaster Declaration related to COVID-19 for another 30 days. Pursuant to the declaration, public bodies may continue to hold virtual meetings in accordance with the...more

6/28/2021 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Emergency Management Plans , Governor Pritzker , Infectious Diseases , Open Meetings Act , Public Entities , Quorum , Relief Measures , State and Local Government , Virtual Meetings

Muting Mishap: Illinois PAC Opinions on Use of “Sidebars” During Virtual Meetings

During an in-person meeting of a public body, it is not uncommon for individuals to have sidebar discussions. Such discussions do not necessarily violate any rules or laws, including the Illinois Open Meetings Act. But what...more

12/7/2020 / Open Meetings Act , Public Access Laws , Public Meetings , State and Local Government , Virtual Meetings

Governor Declaration Extends Virtual Board Meeting Right, Increases In-Person Meeting Limits

On June 26, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended by 30 days, until July 26, 2020, the disaster proclamation relating to COVID-19. As a result, public bodies may continue to hold virtual board meetings pursuant to...more

6/30/2020 / Board Meetings , Board of Directors , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Corporate Governance , Open Meetings Act , Virtual Meetings

New OMA Requirements for Virtual Meetings Are Now Law

On Friday, June 12, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Public Act 101-640,?which, among other things, amends the Open Meetings Act to allow public bodies to hold virtual board meetings without the physical presence of a...more

6/16/2020 / Board Meetings , New Legislation , Open Meetings Act , Public Entities , Public Meetings , State and Local Government , Virtual Meetings

PAC Issues Further Decisions on Public Comment and Participation for Remote Meetings Under OMA

As discussed in previous alerts posted on March 16 and March 18, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker passed an Executive Order suspending certain Open Meetings Act (OMA) requirements in the wake of COVID-19. Since the issuance of...more

6/7/2020 / Board Meetings , Board of Directors , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Open Meetings Act , School Boards , Virtual Meetings , Zoom®

Brian Crowley

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