Oakwood Hills Power Plant Secret Meetings Prompt Reform Bill

A press release from State Rep. David McSweeney:

New Changes to Open Meetings Act Provides Greater Government Transparency

Springfield, IL – Legislation aimed at making reporting violations of the Open Meetings Act more reasonable and accommodating is headed to the Governor’s desk, according to State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), the sponsor of the legislation.

David McSweeney

David McSweeney

House Bill 175 allows the reporting of Open Meetings Act violations within 60 days from the discovery of an alleged violation.

Current law only allows reporting violations within 60 days from an alleged violation.

“The Open Meetings Act was designed to increase government transparency, not provide communities with reasons to avoid their responsibilities to the citizens they serve,” Rep. McSweeney said.

“This legislation will make it easier for citizens to report possible violations of the Open Meetings Act.”

The Illinois Senate unanimously approved the measure on Friday.‎ HB 175, as slightly amended by the Senate, again unanimously passed the House on May 31st.

Dan Duffy

Dan Duffy

“I want to commend Senator Duffy for all his hard work in getting this important bill through the Senate,” Rep McSweeney continued.

“The people have a right to be fully informed as to what’s going on with their local governments and this is the right step to ensure their ability to do so.”

House Bill 175 now moves to the Governor’s Desk.


Comments

Oakwood Hills Power Plant Secret Meetings Prompt Reform Bill — 5 Comments

  1. That is an improvement.

    Here is the exact language of HB 175 in the 99th General Assembly.

    “If facts concerning the violation are not discovered within the 60-day period, but are discovered at a later date, not exceeding 2 years after the alleged violation, by a person utilizing reasonable diligence, the request for review may be made within 60 days of the discovery of the alleged violation.”

    http://www.ilga.gov > Bills & Resolutions > House – Bills 0101 – 0200 > HB0175 Open Meetings – Review > Full Text

    HB 175 did not have a single Nay vote in Committee vote, House Roll Call, or Senate Roll Call.

    HB 175 adds onto Public Act 96-542 (PA 96-542) which became effective January 1, 2010.

  2. We applaud, David McSweeney and Dan Duffy for all of their tireless efforts to implement positive in government.

    They continue to pave the way, everyday, for the Illinois turnaround.

    “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” – Abraham Lincoln

  3. This legislation falls short of what it really should be.

    If a gov agency violates the law, there should be no time limits on legal action against those involved.

    Why give them a window to try and hide anything?

  4. To answer The Nob’s question, McSweeney’s original bill did not include a statute of limitations at all.

    It was added later so that the bill would pass.

  5. Kevin, better than what then, nothing?

    Kind of like the freeze on Twh property taxes, better than nothing, when the schools are the gov agencies sticking it to us to most.

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