{
 "topic": "OMA section 2.06(g)",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 120/2.06(g)",
 "family": "Minutes and verbatim recordings",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/oma-2-06-g/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 36,
  "no_violation": 39,
  "no_determination": 9,
  "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 restricted your comment based on a rule that was never formally established and recorded in its minutes.",
    "why": "OMA requires public bodies to establish and record rules governing public comment; unrecorded rules cannot be enforced to restrict speech.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Public comment rules at a school board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84055/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Restriction of public comment at a library board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79396/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Recording an open meeting of a village board",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79291/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Meeting agendas, public comment periods, and COVID-19 meeting access",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65997/#issue-4"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's failure to adopt public comment rules",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "You were required to sign up days in advance to speak, and the body cannot show the requirement was necessary for a significant governmental interest.",
    "why": "Advance sign-up rules violate OMA if they are not reasonably necessary to serve a significant governmental interest and unreasonably restrict the right to address officials.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's advance-request rule for public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87466/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Advance sign-up rule for public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78964/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "You were told you could only speak on items listed on the agenda, but your comment was about a matter relevant to the body's business.",
    "why": "Limiting public comment to agenda items exceeds permissible rulemaking; comment may be limited to matters germane to the body's business, not just the agenda.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Restriction of public comment at a village board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80950/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Limitations on public comment at a town council meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60662/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "You were muted, interrupted, or had your comment restricted because you criticized a public official by name, but your remarks were calm and not disruptive.",
    "why": "Overbroad decorum rules that restrict criticism of public officials on matters of public concern, without actual disruption, violate OMA.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Refusal to read a submitted public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66444/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The presiding officer briefly interrupted you, but you were still able to finish your comment.",
    "why": "Temporary interruptions that do not preclude a speaker from completing public comment are not improper restrictions.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Restriction on public comment during a board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-93241/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board member's conduct during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69366/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The body enforced a reasonable time limit (e.g., 3 or 5 minutes) that was established and recorded, and you were not allowed extra time.",
    "why": "Public bodies may impose reasonable time limits on public comment to promote orderly and efficient meetings.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A county board's removal of a public commenter",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77831/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's 30-minute public comment limit",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68199/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Public comment rules at a city council meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-63099/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "You were required to speak during a specific public comment portion or to face the board, not the audience.",
    "why": "Content-neutral rules that limit comment to a designated portion of the meeting or require speakers to address the officials are permissible.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's denial of public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53883/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "You were removed or stopped because your speech was profane, disruptive, or not related to the body's business (like electioneering).",
    "why": "A public body may restrict profane or disruptive conduct and limit comment to matters germane to its business.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Restriction on public comment during a board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-93241/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-4"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's failure to adopt public comment rules",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "State that the public body enforced a rule that was not established and recorded in its minutes, and cite the requirement that rules must be recorded.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Public comment rules at a school board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84055/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Restriction of public comment at a library board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79396/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Recording an open meeting of a village board",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79291/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If you were required to sign up in advance, argue that the requirement was not reasonably necessary and unreasonably restricted your right to speak.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's advance-request rule for public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87466/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Advance sign-up rule for public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78964/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If you were muted for criticizing an official, explain that your comments were calm, not disruptive, and that overbroad decorum rules cannot silence criticism of public officials.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If no public comment period was provided at all, point out that OMA requires an opportunity for public comment at each open meeting, including special and subcommittee meetings.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A township board's failure to allow public comment at a special meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56628/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/#issue-8"
     },
     {
      "title": "A DEI subcommittee's failure to provide meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78082/#issue-4"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether the public body had established and recorded public comment rules, and if so, what they say.",
   "The exact words or actions that prevented you from speaking (e.g., muted, removed, told to stop, sign-up denied).",
   "Whether you were able to complete your comment after any interruption, or if you were entirely prevented from addressing the body.",
   "The date, type of meeting (regular, special, subcommittee), and whether a public comment period was on the agenda or actually provided.",
   "Any sign-up requirements, how far in advance they were imposed, and whether you complied or were denied."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any interruption, no matter how brief, violates OMA. Temporary interruptions that don't prevent completing a comment are not improper.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Restriction on public comment during a board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-93241/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board member's conduct during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69366/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that a public body must allow remote participation or read written comments aloud. OMA only guarantees an in-person opportunity to address the body, unless the body's own rules say otherwise.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Remote attendance rules and public remote testimony",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54143/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Refusal to read a written public comment aloud",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77314/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Thinking that offensive or critical comments must be stopped. Only profane, threatening, or actually disruptive speech may be restricted; criticism of officials is protected.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's conduct of public comment and meeting venue",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78138/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that a sign-up list or designated comment period automatically violates OMA. Content-neutral rules like sign-up sheets and limiting comment to a specific portion of the meeting are allowed if they don't unreasonably restrict speech.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's denial of public comment",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53883/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters from the Public Access Bureau; outcomes depend on specific facts, and you should verify the full PDF of any cited decision before relying on it."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Removal from podium during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict profane or disruptive conduct during public comment, and no formal vote or directive is required to eject a speaker for breaching decorum.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Restriction on public comment during a board meeting",
    "date": "2026-06-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-93241/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 46149",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-46149/"
    },
    {
     "text": "SEIU Local 73 v. Board of Trustees of the Univ. of Illinois, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88889",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Biggers v. Massingill, 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 265685",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53888",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Perkins v. City of Gahanna, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23209",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Mayor's brief interruptions during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A temporary interruption that does not preclude a speaker from completing public comment is not an improper restriction on public comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Restriction on public comment during a board meeting",
    "date": "2026-06-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-93241/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 37496",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Three-business-day advance sign-up rule for public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body's advance sign-up rule for public comment violates OMA when it is not reasonably necessary to serve a significant governmental interest and unreasonably restricts the statutory right to address the body.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's advance-request rule for public comment",
    "date": "2026-05-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87466/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. 14-012",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45349",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45349/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39640",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50470",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Deluna v. Burciaga, 223 Ill. 2d 49, 59 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Latona, 184 Ill. 2d 260, 269 (1998)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Woodward, 175 Ill. 2d 435, 444 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Jeffries, No. 1:08-CV-645, 2009 WL 270043, at *3 (W.D. Mich. Jan. 30, 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bach v. School Board of City of Virginia Beach, 139 F. Supp. 2d 738, 741 (E.D. Va. 2001)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2410222/bach-v-school-bd-of-the-city-of-virginia-beach/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment right under section 2.06(g)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No violation where requester was not improperly prevented from addressing the Board and the Board did not encourage or act in concert with a speaker to chill speech.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's handling of post-meeting attendee behavior",
    "date": "2025-12-30",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90893/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 42017",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment improperly restricted by interruptions",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under established and recorded rules, and repeated interruptions that unreasonably interfere with a speaker's right to address officials violate section 2.06(g).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Interruption of public comment at a board meeting",
    "date": "2025-10-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85727/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37496",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53820",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53820/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53830",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53873",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of public comment based on unestablished, unrecorded rules",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under rules it has both established and recorded; the head of the body cannot unilaterally issue guidelines that restrict comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment rules at a school board meeting",
    "date": "2025-03-25",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84055/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-013",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2023-pac-76977/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "DeLuna v. Burciaga, 223 Ill. 2d 49, 59 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Rinehart, 2012 IL 111719, ¶ 24",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Skaperdas v. Country Casualty Insurance Co., 2015 IL 117021, ¶ 15",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Banco Popular North America v. Gizynski, 2015 IL App (1st) 142871, ¶ 47",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912, 922 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper limitation on public comment and adjournment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may limit public comment to matters germane to its business, but may not prohibit comment on matters relevant to its business merely because they are not on the agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Restriction of public comment at a village board meeting",
    "date": "2024-06-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80950/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Reza v. Pearce, 806 F.3d 497",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Rowe v. City of Cocoa, 358 F.3d 800",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Youkhanna v. City of Sterling Heights, 934 F.3d 508",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Eichenlaub v. Twp. of Indiana, 385 F.3d 274",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "White v. City of Norwalk, 900 F.2d 1421",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38037",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38037/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45349",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45349/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 49820",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board allowed speakers to exceed three-minute limit",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA when it allows a person to speak longer than the time limit in its rules, as long as it does not selectively permit extensions to deprive others of participation.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Selective enforcement of public comment time limits",
    "date": "2024-02-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80267/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 64514",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 42017",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Use of sign-up list as substitute for public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA when it circulates a list for individuals to record opposition, as the list is not a mandatory substitute for addressing the body.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Requiring home addresses on sign-up list",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA by asking individuals to include addresses on a list when it does not require addresses before speaking.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009, issued September 4, 2014",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Prioritizing elected officials over public speakers",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA by allowing elected officials to speak unless there is evidence they were selected to exclude members of the public.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Ending public comment before all who wished to speak",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA by ending public comment when no one is prevented from speaking and multiple opportunities to comment are provided.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Chilling effect and discouraging public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate OMA when the mayor's comments, though discouraging repetitive remarks, remain civil and do not prevent individuals from speaking.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's conduct during a public comment period",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79472/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Meeting ended before public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must provide an opportunity to address public officials under its established and recorded rules, and the Board did not adhere to its procedures.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board adjourning before public comment",
    "date": "2024-09-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79466/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 55279",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper restriction of public comment time",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under established and recorded rules; the Board's 1998 policy was not recorded, so it could not limit a speaker to three minutes.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Restriction of public comment at a library board meeting",
    "date": "2024-08-27",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79396/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "DeLuna v. Burciaga, 223 Ill. 2d. 49, 59 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Rinehart, 2012 IL 111719, ¶ 24",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Skaperdas v. Country Casualty Insurance Co., 2015 IL 117021, ¶ 15",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Banco Popular North America v. Gizynski, 2015 IL App (1st) 142871, ¶ 47",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment rules not established and recorded",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only pursuant to established and recorded rules that accommodate rather than unreasonably restrict the right to address officials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Recording an open meeting of a village board",
    "date": "2024-04-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79291/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012, issued September 30, 2014, at 6",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002, issued January 9, 2019",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "24-hour advance registration rule for public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under established rules that reasonably accommodate the right to address officials; an advance sign-up rule is invalid if not reasonably necessary to promote a significant governmental interest.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Advance sign-up rule for public comment",
    "date": "2024-01-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78964/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 54487",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39640",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Swearing-in requirement at November 2, 2023 meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate the Open Meetings Act when an individual who declines to be sworn in is still afforded other opportunities to address the board.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Swearing in public commenters at zoning meetings",
    "date": "2024-05-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78515/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Swearing-in requirement at October 5, 2023 meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate the Open Meetings Act when the available information does not show that members of the public were prevented or deterred from addressing the board.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Swearing in public commenters at zoning meetings",
    "date": "2024-05-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78515/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether subcommittees must allow public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public bodies must provide opportunity for public comment at meetings; subcommittees failed to do so.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A DEI subcommittee's failure to provide meeting notice",
    "date": "2024-04-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78082/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restricting public comment to email",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public bodies must allow members of the public to verbally address officials in person under established and recorded rules; requiring written submission unreasonably restricts that right.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Restricted physical access and in-person comment at a township board meeting",
    "date": "2024-08-05",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77728/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012, issued September 30, 2014",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-013, issued September 13, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2023-pac-76977/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912, 924 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to read written public comment aloud at meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body need not read written comments aloud unless it has a rule requiring that, and it provided an in-person opportunity to comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Refusal to read a written public comment aloud",
    "date": "2024-01-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77314/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Req. Rev. Ltr. 76163",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment rules not properly established and recorded",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under rules established and recorded; rules adopted without adequate advance notice are invalid and cannot be enforced.",
   "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": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009, issued September 4, 2014, at 7",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to address anti-LGBTQ+ public comments",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Public bodies may not silence speakers based on viewpoint, but may stop disruptive conduct; offensive comments that are not profane, threatening, or disruptive do not violate section 2.06(g).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's conduct of public comment and meeting venue",
    "date": "2023-10-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78138/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012, issued September 30, 2014",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 135 S. Ct. 2218 (2015)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Mesa v. White, 197 F.3d 1041 (10th Cir. 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Church on the Rock v. City of Albuquerque, 84 F.3d 1273 (10th Cir. 1996)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restriction of public comment time",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may enforce its established and recorded public comment rules, including reasonable time limits, without violating OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's removal of a public commenter",
    "date": "2023-10-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77831/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37496",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to provide public comment at special meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must provide an opportunity for public comment at each open meeting, and members' voluntary departure cannot circumvent that right.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A township board's failure to allow public comment at a special meeting",
    "date": "2023-06-05",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56628/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2019-pac-59187/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 21-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2021-pac-c-0069/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Roxana Community Unit School Dist. No. 1 v. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013 IL App (4th) 120825",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120825/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 2.06(g) public comment right for board member",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Section 2.06(g) provides the right to address public officials to members of the public, not to members of the public body itself.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board member's right to speak during public comment",
    "date": "2022-07-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72478/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 21-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2021-pac-c-0069/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 52413",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52413/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 66974",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Higgs v. Houston-Philpot, No. 302767, 2012 Mich. App. LEXIS 677",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Phoenix Bond & Indemnity Co. v. Pappas, 194 Ill. 2d 99, 107 (2000)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment at March 30, 2022 special meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not require public comment to be listed on a meeting agenda for the public to address the body.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Website posting of meeting agendas and minutes",
    "date": "2022-09-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71528/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 26020, issued April 14, 2014, at 2",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board's interruption of BSA members' public comments",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body violates section 2.06(g) only when it improperly restricts public comment; brief interruptions that do not preclude a speaker from completing comment are not improper.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board member's conduct during public comment",
    "date": "2022-02-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69366/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 61123",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Trustee Radosh's dialogue with BSA member during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not prohibit a public body member from addressing the audience during public comment, and the Board was not obligated to allow a back-and-forth after a student's comment concluded.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board member's conduct during public comment",
    "date": "2022-02-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69366/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "30-minute public comment time limit",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may impose reasonable time limits on public comment if the rule accommodates the right to address officials and is not applied arbitrarily.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's 30-minute public comment limit",
    "date": "2022-04-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68199/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "2011 PAC 12740",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Address requirement for speakers",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "A claim not raised in the request for review is outside the scope of the PAC's determination.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's 30-minute public comment limit",
    "date": "2022-04-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68199/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment form compliance with OMA",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Without an allegation that a public body's public comment practices were applied in violation of OMA, the PAC will not review those practices.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Agenda descriptions for property annexation ordinances",
    "date": "2022-03-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55664/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 47990",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restriction of public comment at meeting",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Conflicting accounts and lack of recording left insufficient evidence to conclude the Board improperly restricted the speaker's ability to address members.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's public comment period",
    "date": "2021-10-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-67369/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa, 718 F.3d 800",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/866564/benito-acosta-v-city-of-costa-mesa/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39239",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53888",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37391",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment at reconvened meetings",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Public comment opportunity provided at the December 7 meeting satisfies OMA for the single meeting stretched across five dates.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An electoral board's continued hearing sessions",
    "date": "2021-02-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66989/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Refusal to read e-mailed public comment despite agenda promise",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body violates OMA when it refuses to read an e-mailed comment after its agenda instructed the public that such comments would be read aloud and the commenter relied on that method.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Refusal to read a submitted public comment",
    "date": "2021-11-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66444/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 62755",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 66704",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 64882",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 63402",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 66997",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Refusal to read comment as personal attack under decorum rules",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "OMA does not permit a public body to apply overbroad decorum rules to restrict comments that criticize public officials by name on matters of public concern without actually disrupting the meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Refusal to read a submitted public comment",
    "date": "2021-11-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-66444/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 65871 et al.",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50824",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 56926",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 51665",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Norse v. City of Santa Cruz",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "White v. City of Norwalk",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Muting speaker at November 16, 2020 meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public body may not apply content-based public comment rules to restrict criticism of public officials that does not disrupt the meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
    "date": "2021-03-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-002",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55462/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "IA Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa, 718 F.3d 800 (9th Cir. 2013)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/866564/benito-acosta-v-city-of-costa-mesa/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Norse v. City of Santa Cruz, 629 F.3d 966 (9th Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "White v. City of Norwalk, 900 F.2d 1421 (9th Cir. 1990)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Gault v. City of Battle Creek, 73 F. Supp. 2d 811 (W.D. Mich. 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Milestone v. City of Monroe, Wisconsin, 665 F.3d 774 (7th Cir. 2011)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Vega v. Chicago Board of Education, 338 F. Supp. 3d 806 (N.D. Ill. 2018)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Muting speakers at November 9, 2020 meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public body may not mute speakers for criticizing public officials when the comments are calm and do not disrupt the meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Muting speakers during public comment",
    "date": "2021-03-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65871/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Milestone v. City of Monroe, Wisconsin, 665 F.3d 774 (7th Cir. 2011)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restriction of public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate the public comment requirement absent facts showing that a member of the public attempted to address officials but was improperly restricted from doing so.",
   "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. 43028",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 62825 62826",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Right to comment at public meetings",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 2.06(g) creates a statutory right to address public officials at meetings, and rules must accommodate rather than unreasonably restrict that right.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Limitations on public comment at a town council meeting",
    "date": "2021-02-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60662/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Jackson v. Board of Election Commissioners, 2012 IL 111928, ¶ 48, 975 N.E.2d 583, 596 (2012)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "5 ILCS 120/1 (West 2018)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "5 ILCS 120/2.02 (West 2018)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "5 ILCS 102/2.01 (West 2018), as amended by Public Act 101-640, effective June 12, 2020",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "5 ILCS 120/2.06 (West 2018)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "735 ILCS 110/5 (West 2018)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment not limited to agenda items",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A rule limiting public comment to agenda items exceeds permissible rulemaking under section 2.06(g); comment may be limited only to matters germane to the public body's business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Limitations on public comment at a town council meeting",
    "date": "2021-02-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60662/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Surita v. Hyde, 665 F.3d 860, 869-872 (7th Cir. 2011)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453, 465 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012, issued September 30, 2014, at 6",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Ariz., 576 U.S. 155, 163, 135 S. Ct. 2218, 2226 (2015)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Youkhanna v. City of Sterling Heights, 934 F.3d 508, 519 (6th Cir. 2019)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Eichenlaub v. Twp. of Indiana, 385 F.3d 274, 281 (3d Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "White v. City of Norwalk, 900 F.2d 1421, 1425 (9th Cir. 1990)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912, 924 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38037, issued August 1, 2016, at 3",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38037/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45349, issued March 16, 2017, at 6",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45349/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Scroggins v. City of Topeka, Kan., 2 F. Supp. 2d 1362, 1373 (D. Kan. 1998)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 49820, issued January 31, 2019, at 6",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Premature termination of public comment and ceding time",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may enforce its recorded rules limiting each speaker to five minutes and need not allow speakers to donate time to others.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment rules at a city council meeting",
    "date": "2020-06-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-63099/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wright v. Anthony, 733 F.2d 575, 576-77 (8th Cir. 1984)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 42017, issued June 1, 2016",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Counting question-and-answer exchange toward speaker's time",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA requires only an opportunity to address public officials; it does not require a question-and-answer session or prohibit a public body from responding to questions.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment rules at a city council meeting",
    "date": "2020-06-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-63099/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37391, issued January 11, 2016",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 51623, issued May 18, 2018",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51623/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to provide opportunity for public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public bodies must provide an opportunity for public comment at meetings.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
    "date": "2020-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Interruption for racial slur at Feb 4 meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A brief interruption that does not preclude a speaker from completing public comment is not an improper restriction.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
    "date": "2020-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37496",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Interruption for mental evaluation comment at Feb 4 meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Rules prohibiting personal attacks and slanderous remarks are overbroad and vest unbridled discretion, impermissibly restricting criticism of public officials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
    "date": "2020-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39069",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 51665",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50824",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Requirement to face Council at Feb 19 meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Requiring a speaker to address the public officials rather than the audience does not violate the right to address public officials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
    "date": "2020-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Removal for electioneering at Feb 19 meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may limit public comment to topics germane to its business, and electioneering is not germane.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's restriction of public comment time",
    "date": "2020-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56926/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 49820",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to establish and record public comment rules",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must establish and record rules governing public comment, and may restrict public comment only pursuant to those rules.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's failure to adopt public comment rules",
    "date": "2020-04-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper restriction of public comment at meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body head has inherent authority to end public comment to preserve safety and order when the meeting becomes disruptive.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's failure to adopt public comment rules",
    "date": "2020-04-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53888/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Committee violated section 2.06(g) of OMA",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Because the Committee is not a public body subject to OMA, the alleged violation of public comment requirements need not be addressed.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A bilingual parent advisory committee's OMA status",
    "date": "2020-07-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48412/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Trustee's absence during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2.06(g) does not require a public official's physical presence during public comment; the public must be allowed to address the body as a whole.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board member's departure during public comment",
    "date": "2019-06-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58320/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50824",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment by requester not physically present",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The right to address a public body under section 2.06(g) applies only to individuals who physically attend the meeting; OMA does not require public comment from remote individuals.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Remote attendance rules and public remote testimony",
    "date": "2019-02-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54143/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of public comment due to illegible signature",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may adopt reasonable sign-up rules, but enforcing them to unreasonably restrict the right to address public officials violates OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's requirement for written topic and signature to speak",
    "date": "2019-02-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50750/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Jeffries, No. 1:08-CV-645, 2009 WL 270043 (W.D. Mich. Jan. 30, 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bach v. School Board of City of Virginia Beach, 139 F. Supp. 2d 738 (E.D. Va. 2001)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2410222/bach-v-school-bd-of-the-city-of-virginia-beach/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Commission restricted public comment to relevant topics",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may enforce reasonable content-neutral rules limiting public comment to matters germane to the body's business to further a significant governmental interest.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912, 922 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453, 465 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Scroggins v. City of Topeka, Kan., 2 F. Supp. 2d 1362, 1373 (D. Kan. 1998)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Rowe v. City of Cocoa, Fla., 358 F.3d 800, 803 (11th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board president briefly interrupted speaker",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A temporary interruption that does not prevent a speaker from completing public comment is not an improper restriction.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 37496, issued on December 11, 2015, at 3",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board enforced five-minute public comment limit",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may prescribe reasonable time limits for public comment to advance orderly and efficient meetings.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14012, issued September 30, 2014, at 5",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Challenge to entirety of Village's public comment rules",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "The Public Access Bureau generally reviews a particular public comment rule only if a member of the public was prohibited from speaking because of that rule.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a village board meeting",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49820/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment rule limiting comment to designated portion",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may adopt content-neutral rules limiting public comment to a designated portion of the meeting to promote efficiency and decorum.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's denial of public comment",
    "date": "2018-12-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53883/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Req. Rev. Ltr. 42969",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of opportunity to speak after public comment ended",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Due to conflicting accounts, the office could not determine whether the Board violated OMA by prohibiting a speaker after the public comment portion ended.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's denial of public comment",
    "date": "2018-12-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53883/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Trustee prevented from speaking at February and March meetings",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not govern interactions between board members or how a public body conducts its meetings, and section 2.06(g) gives the public, not board members, the right to address the board.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village trustee's right to address the board",
    "date": "2018-04-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52413/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009, issued September 4, 2014, at 4",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Interruptions during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Interruptions by a public body that do not preclude a speaker from completing public comment are not improper restrictions on public comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's conduct during public comment",
    "date": "2018-05-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51623/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 37496",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 37503",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37391",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Right to ask questions during public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2.06(g) requires an opportunity to address officials but does not require a public body to answer questions or conduct a question-and-answer session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's conduct during public comment",
    "date": "2018-05-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51623/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37391",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Police presence chilling public comment",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The available information did not indicate that police presence interfered with or caused a chilling effect on public comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's conduct during public comment",
    "date": "2018-05-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51623/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "15-minute advance sign-up rule for public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only through established and recorded rules that reasonably accommodate, rather than unreasonably restrict, the right to address public officials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A township board's public comment rules",
    "date": "2018-11-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51413/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Jeffries, No. 1:08-CV-645, 2009 WL 270043 (W.D. Mich. Jan. 30, 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bach v. School Board of City of Virginia Beach, 139 F. Supp. 2d 738 (E.D. Va. 2001)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2410222/bach-v-school-bd-of-the-city-of-virginia-beach/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50470",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39640",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Two-minute public comment time limit",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on public comment that serve a significant governmental interest and are narrowly tailored.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board's public comment policy and its enforcement",
    "date": "2018-04-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51302/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "IA. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Wright v. Anthony",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Shero v. City of Grove",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Del. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 05-IB01",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 37850",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37850/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Five-minute comment for one-week advance notice",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A rule granting additional comment time to speakers who provide advance notice is reasonable when all speakers are afforded at least two minutes and the rule is applied content-neutrally.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board's public comment policy and its enforcement",
    "date": "2018-04-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51302/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Vagueness of Rule 2 and Rule 3",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "The Public Access Bureau declines to review public comment rules unless they were enforced to improperly restrict a member of the public from addressing public officials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board's public comment policy and its enforcement",
    "date": "2018-04-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51302/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 47847",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Prohibiting public comment on zoning matters",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under rules it has established and recorded; an unrecorded agenda rule cannot justify prohibiting comment.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a city council meeting",
    "date": "2018-03-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50791/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45126",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board restricted public comment without established rules",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only pursuant to its established and recorded rules, and a content-based restriction is not procedural.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restriction to a private room",
    "date": "2018-01-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50450/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45844",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "La Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restricting public comment on racial issues as same topic",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only through reasonable rules that accommodate rather than unreasonably restrict the right to address officials; treating diverse racial topics as one topic is unduly restrictive.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's limit on public comment frequency per topic",
    "date": "2018-05-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50091/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Wright v. Anthony, 733 F.2d 575 (8th Cir. 1984)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Castronovo v. County of Winnebago, No. 11-C-50046 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 5, 2012)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to allow public comment at 6:30 p.m. gatherings",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public bodies must provide an opportunity for public comment at meetings subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Unannounced pre-meeting gatherings and a blocked board meeting",
    "date": "2018-02-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49828/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of public comment at August 24, 2017 meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body violates OMA when it prohibits a member of the public from addressing the board despite the person's compliance with the body's public comment rules.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's denial of public comment over a speaker form",
    "date": "2018-07-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49391/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Reasonableness of advance sign-up form requirement",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "An advance sign-up rule that requires a written form and subject matter disclosure tends to restrict rather than accommodate the statutory right to address public officials and is not shown necessary to promote a significant governmental interest.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's denial of public comment over a speaker form",
    "date": "2018-07-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49391/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Superintendent's private conversations and seating with Board",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not prohibit private conversations between a Board member and the superintendent or require the superintendent to be seated separately.",
   "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. 30157",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment restrictions under section 2.06(g)",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Conflicting evidence prevented a conclusion on whether the Committee improperly restricted public comment; the rule was vague and inconsistently enforced.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board",
    "date": "2017-04-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45191/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39640",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 34760",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 37503",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to allow public comment",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must allow public comment at its meetings.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An advisory committee's special meeting notice and agenda",
    "date": "2017-04-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44652/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restriction of public comment at meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only pursuant to established and recorded rules that accommodate rather than unreasonably limit the right to address public officials.",
   "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": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48439",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restriction on public comment not in recorded rules",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may restrict public comment only under rules it has established and recorded; an ad hoc rule announced by the board president is not authorized.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's public comment restrictions and closed-session justification",
    "date": "2016-12-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44262/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Restricting public comment to City residents",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may not categorically prohibit non-residents from addressing the council because the right to comment is not contingent on residency.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a council meeting",
    "date": "2016-08-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38037/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Limiting public comment to agenda items",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may not restrict public comment to agenda items because OMA allows discussion of matters not on the agenda.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Public comment restrictions at a council meeting",
    "date": "2016-08-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38037/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Rice v. Board of Trustees of Adams County, Ill., 326 Ill. App. 3d 1120, 1123 (4th Dist. 2002)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public comment rules unreasonably restrict right to address",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public comment rules must be reasonable and accommodate, not unreasonably restrict, the right to address public officials; advance form requirements were not shown necessary.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's restrictive public comment policies",
    "date": "2016-01-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F. Supp. 2d 912 (N.D. Ill. 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Wood, 633 F. Supp. 2d 453 (W.D. Mich. 2008)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Timmon v. Jeffries, No. 1:08-CV-645, 2009 WL 270043 (W.D. Mich. Jan. 30, 2009)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bach v. School Board of City of Virginia Beach, 139 F. Supp. 2d 738 (E.D. Va. 2001)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2410222/bach-v-school-bd-of-the-city-of-virginia-beach/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board misinterpreted public comment as question and answer",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 2.06(g) requires an opportunity for any person to address public officials, not a controlled question and answer session; OMA does not require officials to respond.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's restrictive public comment policies",
    "date": "2016-01-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37391/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-012",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-30194/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 14-009",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2014-pac-29739/"
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}