Type: Title:
Committee(s) Assignment:
Harris (8) Mitchell (7) Resolution
Call for Illinois State legislature and other legislative bodies to adopt permanent rules allowing for remote participation and comment at meetings of legislative committees subject to Open Meetings Act Committee on Committees and Rules
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES AND RULES
RESOLUTION: Calling on the State Legislature to Expand Remote Participation for
Committee Meetings
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the need for remote, flexible meeting and conferencing tools in all our lives; and
WHEREAS, the business of government should not be halted by disaster, distance, or other obstacles; and
WHEREAS, temporary arrangements made during the COVID-19 pandemic proved the efficacy and functionality of legislative sessions held via remote conferencing technology; and
WHEREAS, digital meetings make government more observable, available, and accessible to the general public; and
WHEREAS, the ability to participate remotely in committee sessions has allowed elected officials in the City of Chicago to spend less time in transit and more in their districts, serving their constituents; and
WHEREAS, remote public comment proved popular and accessible to members of the public who would not ordinarily have been able to visit their legislative body and offer comment in person; and
WHEREAS, an increase in openness and accessibility is in keeping with the spirit and effect of the Open Meetings Act of the State of Illinois; now therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the City Council of the City of Chicago, do hereby call upon and urge the State Legislature of the State of Illinois to amend the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120, to allow for remote and hybrid meetings of legislative committees, and for remote public comment at such; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the State Legislature and other legislative bodies in Illinois, in the event of such a change, to adopt permanent rules allowing for...
Click here for full text