{
 "topic": "OMA section 2.02(a)",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 120/2.02(a)",
 "family": "Notice, agendas, and meeting access",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/oma-2-02-a/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 16,
  "no_violation": 29,
  "no_determination": 1,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": {
  "generated_by": "AI summary of the decisions listed on this page; not legal advice; verify each decision against its PDF",
  "when_a_challenge_is_strong": [
   {
    "text": "The public body posted the agenda less than 48 hours before the meeting, or failed to post any agenda.",
    "why": "Section 2.02(a) requires posting an agenda at least 48 hours in advance for regular and special meetings.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Meeting agendas, public comment periods, and COVID-19 meeting access",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65997/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's failure to post a meeting agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50479/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Rescheduling a meeting without 48-hour agenda notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41778/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The agenda was not continuously available for public inspection for the full 48 hours before the meeting (e.g., locked inside a building, or posted only in an online archives section).",
    "why": "The agenda must be accessible for the entire 48-hour period.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A county board's meeting agenda and final action items",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47357/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48046/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school district's website postings for meeting agendas and schedules",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39850/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body held an emergency meeting but the circumstances were foreseeable or not a true emergency.",
    "why": "A bona fide emergency requires unforeseen circumstances requiring immediate action.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A village board's emergency meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72176/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emergency board meeting on personnel and litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47429/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body amended a special meeting agenda less than 48 hours before the meeting to add new items.",
    "why": "Special meeting agendas cannot be changed within 48 hours; discussion is limited to items on the posted agenda.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Agenda items added to a special meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50648/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The public body revised a regular meeting agenda less than 48 hours before the meeting but did not take final action on the new items.",
    "why": "OMA allows amending a regular meeting agenda as long as no final action is taken on matters not properly noticed.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Adding an agenda item less than 24 hours before a meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78458/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body's website is not maintained by full-time staff, so it did not post the agenda online.",
    "why": "The website posting requirement applies only if the website is maintained by full-time staff.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A library board's posting of meeting agendas and minutes online",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77235/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Website posting of meeting agendas and minutes",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71528/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Notice and agenda posting for a cemetery board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47489/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48046/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The meeting was a bona fide emergency due to truly unforeseen circumstances (e.g., a sudden public health recommendation).",
    "why": "OMA permits emergency meetings with less than 48 hours' notice when unanticipated circumstances require immediate action.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An emergency school board meeting for storm-damage funding",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76838/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's emergency meeting for a grant application",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68340/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's emergency meeting notice and closed-session discussions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65418/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An emergency meeting with less than 48 hours' notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62712/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The meeting was a reconvened meeting held within 24 hours of the original meeting, with an announcement made at the original meeting and no change in the agenda.",
    "why": "No additional notice is required for such reconvened meetings.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An electoral board's continued hearing sessions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66989/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An electoral board's continued hearing sessions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66989/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Notice of a school board meeting's relocated location",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47809/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If the agenda was posted less than 48 hours before the meeting, state that Section 2.02(a) requires posting at least 48 hours in advance.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Meeting agendas, public comment periods, and COVID-19 meeting access",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65997/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's failure to post a meeting agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50479/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the agenda was not continuously available (e.g., locked building), argue that the agenda must be accessible for the entire 48-hour period.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A county board's meeting agenda and final action items",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47357/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48046/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the meeting was called an emergency but the need was foreseeable, point out that a bona fide emergency requires unforeseen circumstances.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A village board's emergency meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72176/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emergency board meeting on personnel and litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47429/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If a special meeting agenda was changed within 48 hours, note that OMA prohibits discussing items not on the posted special meeting agenda.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Agenda items added to a special meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50648/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "The exact date and time the agenda was posted (or if it was posted at all).",
   "Whether the agenda was physically accessible to the public for the entire 48 hours before the meeting.",
   "Whether the public body's website is maintained by full-time staff.",
   "Whether the meeting was a regular or special meeting.",
   "Whether the body took final action on an item not listed on the agenda."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that '48 hours' means 48 business hours; the Act requires 48 calendar hours.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Agenda-posting timing for regular meetings",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70125/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that all public bodies must post agendas on their website; only those with full-time staff maintaining the website must do so.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A library board's posting of meeting agendas and minutes online",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77235/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Website posting of meeting agendas and minutes",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71528/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Notice and agenda posting for a cemetery board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47489/#issue-5"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Thinking that any mention of an unlisted topic at a special meeting is a violation; simple announcements without deliberation are allowed.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A special city council meeting's agenda and member training",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60547/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Discussion of items under \"any other business\"",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58725/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that a regular meeting agenda cannot be amended less than 48 hours before the meeting; it can be, as long as no final action is taken on new matters.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Adding an agenda item less than 24 hours before a meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78458/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; outcomes depend on specific facts, and you should verify the full text of any cited decision."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Agenda posted less than 48 hours before meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must post the agenda it uses at least 48 hours before the meeting; posting a revised agenda after the meeting began violates this requirement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Meeting agendas, public comment periods, and COVID-19 meeting access",
    "date": "2024-02-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65997/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Notice for reconvened meetings and agenda changes",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The 48-hour notice exception for reconvened meetings applies only if the meeting is reconvened within 24 hours, an announcement was made at the original meeting, and there is no change in the agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Meeting agendas, public comment periods, and COVID-19 meeting access",
    "date": "2024-02-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65997/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Phoenix Bond & Indemnity Co., 194 Ill. 2d 99, 107 (2000)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 145 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Frieberg, 147 Ill. 2d 326, 349 (1992)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda amendment less than 48 hours before meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may revise a regular meeting agenda less than 48 hours before the meeting as long as it does not take final action on matters not properly noticed.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Adding an agenda item less than 24 hours before a meeting",
    "date": "2023-11-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78458/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-003",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-27859/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Rice v. Board of Trustees of Adams County, 326 Ill. App. 3d 1120 (2002)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "No posting of special meeting agenda/minutes",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA's website posting requirements for agendas and minutes apply only to regular meetings, not special meetings.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's posting of meeting agendas and minutes online",
    "date": "2023-09-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77235/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "No posting of regular meeting agenda/minutes",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Only public bodies whose websites are maintained by full-time staff must post regular meeting agendas and minutes; the Library director works up to 35 hours per week, so the website is not maintained by full-time staff.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's posting of meeting agendas and minutes online",
    "date": "2023-09-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77235/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 54137, issued April 23, 2019, at 3",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Teresi v. Department of Employment Security, 2022 IL App (3d) 190560, ¶ 22",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "56 Ill. Adm. Code § 2720.1 (2023), last amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 6385, effective May 14, 2019",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Validity of emergency meeting notice under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may hold an emergency meeting with less than 48 hours' notice when unanticipated circumstances require immediate action and the body did not create the urgency through lack of diligence.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An emergency school board meeting for storm-damage funding",
    "date": "2023-06-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76838/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656, issued May 31, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "River Road Neighborhood Ass'n v. South Texas Sports, 720 S.W.2d 551, 557 (Tex. App. 1986)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Posting of meeting location on agenda",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Agenda must include meeting location when annual schedule lists a different location, to provide written notice.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Meeting location notice on a hospital board agenda",
    "date": "2023-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75513/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50231",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Insufficient notice for Conversations Over Coffee meetings",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Special meetings require posting the agenda at the principal office at least 48 hours in advance; website posting is required only for the governing body, not committees.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School committee meetings at a restaurant",
    "date": "2023-03-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75047/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "October 19, 2022 regular meeting agenda online posting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body with a website maintained by its full-time staff must post regular meeting agendas online at least 48 hours in advance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Posting of meeting agendas on a school district website",
    "date": "2023-03-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74672/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 70560, issued January 10, 2023",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Emergency meeting held without bona fide emergency",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may hold a meeting with less than 48 hours' notice only if unforeseen circumstances require immediate action; a foreseeable need to appoint an interim manager does not qualify.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's emergency meeting notice",
    "date": "2022-10-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72176/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656, issued May 31, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "River Road Neighborhood Ass'n v. South Texas Sports, 720 S.W.2d 551, 557 (Tex. App. 1986)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Committee meeting agendas and minutes compliance with OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA only requires the governing body to post meeting agendas and minutes on its website; committees must still physically post agendas and prepare minutes.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's closed-session discussions and failure to review minutes",
    "date": "2022-04-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72129/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38000, issued January 11, 2016, at 3",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Posting agendas and minutes on Commission website",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body must post agendas or notices on its website only if full-time staff maintain that website.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Website posting of meeting agendas and minutes",
    "date": "2022-09-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71528/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda posting 48 hours vs 48 business hours",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2.02(a) requires posting an agenda at least 48 hours in advance, not 48 business hours, so the alleged facts do not support a violation.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Agenda-posting timing for regular meetings",
    "date": "2022-03-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70125/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Hayashi v. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2014 IL 116023",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Hoffman v. Altamore, 352 Ill. App. 3d 246 (2d Dist. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Gutman, 2011 IL 110338",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Board improperly held emergency meeting without 48-hour notice",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A meeting qualifies as a bona fide emergency when unforeseen circumstances require immediate action and the need for the meeting was not clearly foreseeable to the public body.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's emergency meeting for a grant application",
    "date": "2022-02-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68340/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656, issued May 31, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "River Road Neighborhood Ass'n v. South Texas Sports, 720 S.W.2d 551, 557 (Tex. App. 1986)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Notice for December 15, 2020 reconvened meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No additional notice required when announcement of reconvened meeting time and place was made at original meeting and agenda unchanged.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An electoral board's continued hearing sessions",
    "date": "2021-02-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66989/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Notice for December 16-18, 2020 reconvened meetings",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No additional notice required for reconvened meetings held within 24 hours of the original meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An electoral board's continued hearing sessions",
    "date": "2021-02-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66989/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Notice of October 22, 2020 emergency meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may hold an emergency meeting with less than 48 hours' notice when unanticipated circumstances require immediate action, such as a county health department recommendation during the COVID-19 pandemic.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's emergency meeting notice and closed-session discussions",
    "date": "2021-11-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65418/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 62712",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62712/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Emergency meeting notice under 48 hours",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may hold an emergency meeting with less than 48 hours' notice if unanticipated circumstances require immediate action, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An emergency meeting with less than 48 hours' notice",
    "date": "2020-06-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62712/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "111. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656, issued May 31, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "River Road Neighborhood Ass'n v. South Texas Sports, 720 S.W.2d 551, 557 (Tex. App. 1986)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Discussion of topics not on special meeting agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may not discuss items not on a special meeting agenda, but simple announcements without deliberative discussion do not violate the Act.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A special city council meeting's agenda and member training",
    "date": "2020-02-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60547/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People v. Smith, 2016 IL 119659, ¶ 30, 76 N.E.3d 1251, 1258 (2016)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32604, issued April 9, 2015, at 3",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58725, issued September 12, 2019, at 2, 3",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58725/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Special meeting agenda item not listed",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Merely receiving an update from a non-member officer does not constitute discussion or consideration of an item by committee members under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Informational update on an unlisted agenda item",
    "date": "2019-10-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60015/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32604, issued April 9, 2015",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Special meeting agenda items not listed",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "During special meetings, OMA does not permit discussion of topics not listed on the agenda, but simple announcements do not constitute consideration of items.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Discussion of items under \"any other business\"",
    "date": "2019-09-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58725/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32604",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "May 20, 2019 closed session discussion not on agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body is not required to identify the subjects of closed session discussion on its agenda if it does not take final action on those items in open session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Final action on committee formation not on agenda",
    "date": "2019-08-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58721/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32604, issued April 9, 2015",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32669, issued December 18, 2014",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 49292, 49360, issued August 30, 2017",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to post adequate agenda 48 hours in advance",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must post an adequate agenda at least 48 hours before a meeting, both online and at required physical locations.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's meeting agenda postings",
    "date": "2019-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55795/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50479",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50479/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Amending of May 17, 2018 meeting agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not prohibit separately amending an internal agenda to provide additional details to board members, as long as the publicly posted agenda remains unchanged.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Agenda descriptions for personnel actions",
    "date": "2019-01-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53820/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Rice v. Board of Trustees of Adams County, 326 Ill. App. 3d 1120, 1122-1123 (4th Dist. 2002)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 25275, issued December 17, 2018",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Notice for meetings within 60 days",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body must post notice of regular or special meetings at least 48 hours in advance; three or more business days' notice satisfies this requirement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A council's meeting notices and member OMA training",
    "date": "2018-12-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54184/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to list special meeting on annual schedule",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not require a public body to update its annual schedule of regular meetings to reflect special meetings added during the year.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's special-meeting notice and agenda posting",
    "date": "2018-07-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53311/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "April 10, 2018 meeting adding agenda item and voting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A regular meeting agenda need not preclude consideration of items not specifically set forth in the agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school council's failure to post a meeting agenda and closed-session discussion of candidate selection",
    "date": "2018-07-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52881/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Amendment of special meeting agenda less than 48 hours before meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may not discuss items at a special meeting unless they were on an agenda posted at least 48 hours in advance; adding items later violates OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Agenda items added to a special meeting",
    "date": "2018-04-25",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50648/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 30368, issued December 17, 2014",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Rice v. Board of Trustees of Adams County, 326 Ill. App. 3d 1120 (4th Dist. 2002)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to post meeting agenda 48 hours in advance",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must post an agenda specific to the meeting, describing the general subject matter of final actions, at least 48 hours before the meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's failure to post a meeting agenda",
    "date": "2018-02-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50479/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "2013 PAC 22987",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 13-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2013-pac-22987/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda posted at meeting location 48 hours in advance",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Agenda must be continuously available for public review during the entire 48-hour period before the meeting, not locked inside a building.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda",
    "date": "2017-09-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48046/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 29886",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "In re Foxfeld Subdivision, 396 Ill. App. 3d 989 (2d Dist. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "City of San Antonio v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 820 S.W.2d 762 (Tex. 1991)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Collins v. Board of Trustees of Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 155 Ill. 2d 103 (1993)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda posted on District website 48 hours in advance",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Only public bodies with a website maintained by full-time staff must post agendas on the website 48 hours in advance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda",
    "date": "2017-09-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48046/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Reconvened meeting notice requirements",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A meeting may be reconvened without further notice if an announcement of the time and place is made at the original meeting and there is no change in the agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Notice of a school board meeting's relocated location",
    "date": "2017-07-05",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47809/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Posting agenda at other locations",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA requires posting at the principal office and meeting location; no other locations are required.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Notice and agenda posting for a cemetery board meeting",
    "date": "2017-05-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47489/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Website posting of notice and agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body without its own website maintained by full-time staff is not required to post notice or agenda on a website.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Notice and agenda posting for a cemetery board meeting",
    "date": "2017-05-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47489/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Emergency meeting notice under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must give 48 hours' notice unless the meeting is held in a bona fide emergency, meaning unforeseen circumstances requiring immediate action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emergency board meeting on personnel and litigation",
    "date": "2017-07-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47429/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 23656, issued May 31, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "River Road Neighborhood Ass'n v. South Texas Sports, 720 S.W.2d 551, 557 (Tex. App. 1986)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda not continuously available 48 hours before meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must ensure the agenda is continuously available for public review for the entire 48 hours before a meeting, including on its website if maintained by full-time staff.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's meeting agenda and final action items",
    "date": "2017-10-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47357/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 29886",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to provide schedule of regular committee meetings",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2.02(a) requires public notice of the schedule of regular meetings at the beginning of each calendar or fiscal year, but this applies only to regular meetings, not committees that do not meet regularly.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village's committee meeting schedule",
    "date": "2017-08-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-46079/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Advance notice of final action on separation agreement",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Because the City Council did not take final action on the separation agreement, no advance notice of final action was required under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A separation agreement approved by a city council",
    "date": "2017-06-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45219/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to provide proper advance notice for rescheduled meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must post notice and agenda for a rescheduled regular meeting at least 48 hours before the meeting at its principal office and at the meeting location.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Rescheduling a meeting without 48-hour agenda notice",
    "date": "2017-12-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41778/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Posting of special meeting agenda 48 hours in advance",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Conflicting evidence about which agenda was posted and when left insufficient evidence to conclude the Village violated the 48-hour posting requirement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Final action on unagendaed items and OMA training",
    "date": "2017-02-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40768/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Physical posting of special meeting notice",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "For special meetings, the agenda need only be posted at the principal office, not at the meeting location.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district's website postings for meeting agendas and schedules",
    "date": "2017-07-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39850/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "111. Att' y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18425, issued August 2, 2012",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Website posting of special meeting notice",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body with a full-time maintained website must post meeting notice on the website; posting in an archives section fails to provide proper advance notice.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district's website postings for meeting agendas and schedules",
    "date": "2017-07-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39850/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Annual schedule of regular meetings",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must give public notice of its regular meeting schedule at the beginning of each calendar or fiscal year.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district's website postings for meeting agendas and schedules",
    "date": "2017-07-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39850/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Advance posting of meeting agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA requires posting the agenda at the principal office and meeting location 48 hours in advance, but does not require distributing printed copies to attendees.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's ad hoc limit on public comment time and questions",
    "date": "2017-12-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37850/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board held meeting without notice or agenda",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "OMA applies to a public body's internal discussions about collective bargaining, so the Board violated OMA by meeting without advance notice or an agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An unannounced meeting on collective bargaining",
    "date": "2015-02-27",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-32578/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board v. Homer Community Consolidated School District No. 208, 132 Ill. 2d 29, 36 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-125793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Board of Education of District 170 of Lee and Ogle Counties, 40 Ill. App. 3d 819, 821-23 (2nd Dist. 1976)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-147117/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 80-024, issued August 12, 1980, at 9-11",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415, 844 N.E.2d 1, 14 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bettis v. Marsaglia, 2014 IL 117050, ¶ 13, 23 N.E.3d 351, 356 (2014)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2762358/bettis-v-marsaglia/"
    },
    {
     "text": "BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP v. Mitchell, 2014 IL 116311, ¶ 38, 6 N.E.3d 162, 170 (2014)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2657354/bac-home-loans-servicing-lp-v-mitchell/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Citizens Opposing Pollution v. ExxonMobil Coal U.S.A., 2012 IL 111286, ¶ 24, 962 N.E.2d 956, 964 (2012)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Home Star Bank and Financial Services v. Emergency Care and Health Organization, Ltd., 2014 IL 115526, ¶ 24, 6 N.E.3d 128, 135 (2014)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to provide notice for private gathering",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must provide at least 48 hours advance notice for special meetings, except in bona fide emergency.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A committee's private discussion of a redistricting map",
    "date": "2011-08-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-14722/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  }
 ]
}