Bill > SB2166

This bill amends the Open Meetings Act to expand the circumstances under which members of a public body can attend meetings remotely. Currently, members can attend meetings by video or audio conference if they are unable to be physically present due to personal illness, disability, employment purposes, business of the public body, family emergencies, or unexpected childcare obligations. The bill adds a new provision allowing attendance by other means for "any other reason" as designated in rules adopted by the public body. The bill requires that a quorum of members must still be physically present, and the member seeking to attend remotely must notify the recording secretary or clerk before the meeting unless advance notice is impractical. The public body must adopt rules that specify the conditions and extent of remote attendance, which may include additional notice requirements or ways to facilitate public access. The bill maintains existing provisions for extraordinary circumstances, such as during a declared public health disaster, where meetings can be conducted entirely remotely under specific conditions like ensuring public access to discussions and conducting roll call votes. This change provides public bodies with more flexibility in managing meeting attendance while maintaining transparency and public participation.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2166&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104