[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106645,"mediaKeyId","2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27","parentId",2779600,"title","Residents raise censorship, transparency and public‑comment concerns at Committee of the Whole","audioSeconds",707,"startMs",7069000,"endMs",7776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27&start=7069&end=7776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27/thumbnail_7069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106645/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Residents-raise-censorship-transparency-and-publiccomment-concerns-at-Committee-of-the-Whole","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106645-dfc27e67404fe01852b1b2481ef4e189/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108817&Signature=Xk9KKBHOwDQ8XrvCWARqVwe7ykl-vLjBymygneJav5ohG~OUei9~tdTTP1jAiK7PdC8160LHG2a3nlB9AIIP9EvmPF7UJ~fLHUPk2td0ZwAx-ykotJ0CMnPX8e3QWISxSxx4Ft2Q0XL6tBFwJPi-tJmkjsTm3Ra9VcGSSVI7hv3DLMkRxvqY-gRDXwxs4bSSmqgUZ8Z9BYBK9kMw3tdzbeG6KwiFuGmAoBJD4xIuKf84aHgxbHc3AobLE0mJA0sNRLAq5CuKRTKypumG4lKP6nEErXH4BmcduWADedG-75eUx369W0PenSZ4ljs4~UJLtgJ31TCySM6hGYfAxx7W3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield, IL","date","2025-03-26T20:43:04.363Z","article","During the public‑comment period and throughout the March 25 Committee of the Whole meeting, several residents criticized how the council enforces rules for public testimony and raised wider concerns about transparency and communication from city departments.

Multiple speakers said a resident had been blocked from commenting after using profanity and said cameras and microphones were being used to limit audience view and participation. \"I disagree. Nothing says you can do that,\" a resident said after reporting she had been prevented from speaking; another called 30‑day bans \"onerous\" and said they chilled free speech. Speakers requested clearer, consistent enforcement of meeting rules and called for the council to use Robert's Rules or a published point‑of‑order process to handle disorderly conduct rather than post‑meeting reprimands.

Other public commenters urged clearer communication from CWLP and the city on large items discussed earlier in the meeting, including the planned $4.95 million payment tied to MISO upgrades and the utility's position on IRP legislation. Commenters asked the council to ensure the public receives complete explanations about why large payments or policy positions are necessary, and to publish presentation decks in advance so the public can follow the discussion.

Direct appeals and examples
- Multiple speakers — including residents identified as Caitlin Weiss and Brianna Roberts — said a microphone was cut off and that a QR code held by a commenter was not shown on camera. Roberts called the change \"censorship\" and asked for consistent, transparent rules for public comment enforcement.
- Ken Pasha and other attendees urged the council to reconsider 30‑day bans and to avoid using bans as a first response to profanity during public comment. Pasha said bans \"cool free speech\" and urged councilors to apply rules fairly.
- Several residents criticized CWLP messaging on MISO grid upgrades and asked the city to present fuller context on grid modernization costs, citing DOE and Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition materials supplied during public comment.

What the council said
Aldermen and the chair acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to clarify meeting procedures and the chain of command for audiovisual controls. Several aldermen urged colleagues to use points of order while meetings are in session rather than issuing letters or after‑the‑fact sanctions. The chair and others indicated they would revisit meeting procedures and consider a short workshop or guidance document on handling disorderly public testimony.

Ending
Residents asked for improved transparency, consistent enforcement of public‑comment rules, and pre‑publication of presentation materials. Council members agreed to review meeting controls and to follow established parliamentary procedure options for handling disruptive testimony moving forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield Committee of the Whole Meeting Tuesday March 25 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the public‑comment period to criticize how the council enforces meeting rules, citing microphone cuts, camera angles and use of 30‑day bans to restrict speech; speakers also urged better transparency from CWLP and other city entities.","taxTitle","Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois","taxId",2651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106650,"Committee of the Whole approves consent package including public-works contracts, equipment purchases and appointments",768,3710000,4478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27&start=3710&end=4478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27/thumbnail_3710000.jpg","/articles/6106650/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Committee-of-the-Whole-approves-consent-package-including-public-works-contracts-equipment-purchases-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106650-261a31f224763ae751f1ea1dce327623/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108817&Signature=cfFBokS9xoOxl~0ChU7FrS2sqr~AwAhng8coTS0a1AGbzQ~jiYLeU2HqYX1gLeDXlHEP2m7yeAoVGcR-OGLR6VXdmDCg~NsetjmBZ46kadlEvDjO3MK1pdMqBJEJ2kRXLNTJ-zBJNsim-QWU5sD1-TI4CC2GGdZbYxypS9Kz1mpg9BveuZUd-bSAHT1ree9fACJ5g5~ihZZjimeiFFV4P9qiVjhtLdAXD45GNagr16pxUTDxrSP9shlfieUzUkfTctvQFljCyTwieGtjfslatfrypEx4LcA7QLU~ph6Z3KfvJxcEc-Ppx2cfGTWz3ejjSWnQVLQjHgGC-AD1c8f~rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole voted on a package of ordinances and orders on March 25, approving public-works contracts, equipment purchases, and several appointments.

Clerk-read agenda items included multiple CWLP and public-works contracts, vehicle and equipment purchases, settlement payments for workers' compensation claims, and appointments to boards. Most items were moved and approved on consent; aldermen raised limited debate on specific items such as the purchase of mobile vehicle barrier systems for the police department and the purchase of police interceptors.

Votes at a glance (committee action)
- 2025-118 (UW250159 South Fork pump station pumps and electrical upgrades): contract with Henson Robinson Co., amount not to exceed $742,909; authorization of supplemental appropriation $427,909 — approved on consent.
- 2025-119 (backhoe loader purchase from Martin and Equipment, Inc.): amount not to exceed $174,122 — approved on consent.
- 2025-120 (two 2026 dump trucks): amount not to exceed $299,317.12 — approved on consent.
- 2025-121 (Dalman unit replacement parts): amount not to exceed $72,820 — approved on consent.
- 2025-122 (WHKS amendment for Oddlough Lane): additional $38,001; total not to exceed $128,464 — approved on consent.
- 2025-123 (Construction engineering agreement with WHKS for Adloff Lane): amount not to exceed $140,033.50 — approved on consent.
- 2025-124 (Master service agreement for GIS support): amount not to exceed $355,000 — approved on consent.
- 2025-125 (Adloff Lane construction contract with P H Broughton & Sons): amount not to exceed $1,235,237 — approved on consent.
- 2025-126 (appointment of Steven M. Simpson Black to Springfield Urban Forestry Commission) — approved after brief introduction by the appointee.
- 2025-127 (appointment of Wade Kim Cameron to Springfield Urban Forestry Commission) — approved.
- 2025-128 (appointment of Susan Rempfer to Springfield Urban Forestry Commission) — approved.
- 2025-129 (workers' compensation payment to Zachary Fitzgerald): amount not to exceed $24,713 — approved on consent.
- 2025-130 (workers' comp settlement with Jacob Bartnick): amount not to exceed $29,238.75 — approved on consent.
- 2025-131 (workers' comp payment to former officer Rhett Spingle): amount not to exceed $87,326.75 — approved on consent.
- 2025-132 (decrease number of Class D liquor licenses due to business closure) — approved on consent.
- 2025-133 (increase number of Class E liquor licenses for China King Express) — approved on consent.
- 2025-134 (increase number of Class E and Class I liquor licenses for Shaley's Gourmet Bakery and Bottle Shop) — approved on consent.
- 2025-135 (agreement with Alternative Claims Management LLC for damage recovery services): three-year term — approved on consent.
- 2025-136 (purchase of mobile vehicle barrier MVB 3X systems): amended to purchase three systems (one grant pending) in the amount not to exceed $562,524 — amendment adopted and ordinance approved as amended.
- 2025-137 (purchase of 12 police interceptors from Moral Brothers Ford Inc.): amount not to exceed $715,656 — approved on consent.

What council members discussed
Aldermen asked clarifying questions on several consent items: the police mobile barrier amendment reduced the number purchased from four to three and removed a vehicle purchase after grant pursuit; aldermen asked about logistics and whether Public Works should handle deployment rather than sworn officers. Appointees who were present briefly addressed the committee before votes on their appointments.

Formal motions and outcomes
Most items were approved on consent with the recurring outcome \"Ayes have it\" read aloud by the chair. Individual named votes were not recorded in the transcript; where a specific mover or seconder was not named the committee used standard motion-and-second procedure.

Ending
The committee ended the consent docket with the passage of the items listed above. Items that were discussed in more detail (for example, the police mobile vehicle barriers) were modified by amendment and then approved.","The Committee of the Whole approved a slate of ordinances and orders on consent covering public-works contracts, equipment purchases for utilities and police, and multiple appointments to the Springfield Urban Forestry Commission.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106655,"Springfield utility outlines plan to install advanced meters, pauses IRP work pending state bill",537,639000,1176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27&start=639&end=1176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779600-e07f0f951fb7362f2e9f67719b535d27/thumbnail_639000.jpg","/articles/6106655/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Springfield-utility-outlines-plan-to-install-advanced-meters-pauses-IRP-work-pending-state-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106655-db4ebeefd86536d1805decdbb39b9be0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108817&Signature=LnJr~UrKJX3P-veax5ZJ7wu67snr4TXYMxIU~DLzIcVJ5zI2QEgFsHFViKd4c~pbZMq84jTW4fAEJdvT1I3pBIXQ-HCT1iuEiStdn7g34bsssaahPKqy5MjxlhcYv0n458oDtz5mGrF3vNzojAbE3uJJQDYB7A~MZ4TTDbX2j3UvRDCXIbL0E0ea4SFawurTEQuNfzJbFq5nMzK7ZX84JVM9SjS8JWcqyqzWcWcquIWB0NTuwNa0nfgoNfBTresFLoYB25aVTzvAOnEie9J45GIUg9A9Oqcm-yvYiTgqn1baJqEZyikwUsiD8EdHBAbQx7pmuOwL2rAT-2H5O1DXUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CWLP staff told the Committee of the Whole on March 25 that the utility plans to install advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI, across the city and is pausing most Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) work until pending state legislation is resolved.

The presentation came during the Committee of the Whole meeting where CWLP staff updated alderpersons on several items, including a timeline for AMI, a carbon-capture pilot labeled \"catch and release,\" and a forthcoming 25-megawatt solar ordinance. Scott Rogers, electric division manager, described AMI as the system that will allow two-way, near‑real‑time meter communications and remote meter management.

Rogers said the new system will eliminate most manual meter reads, improve outage mapping and restoration, and enable customer-facing portals and time‑of‑use pricing. \"We will be able to collect real time data on all of our meters. This will ensure billing accuracy, share revenue accuracy on our side, improve customer engagement and efficiency,\" Rogers said. He added the AMI project would reduce truck rolls for disconnects and reconnects and improve theft and tamper detection.

Why it matters: the utility said AMI will let staff see which meters are on or off almost instantly, improving outage response and giving customers near‑real‑time usage information. The project is intended to support future rate design options such as time‑of‑use rates and customer programs tied to smart thermostats.

Key details and timeline
- Scope: staff said there are \"a little over 70,000\" electric meters in the system. Rogers called the existing meters AMR (one‑way) and said AMI would enable programmatic updates and commands to meters.
- Funding: CWLP plans to fund the project from savings from a 2025 bond refinance; Rogers said those savings are about $12,000,000 per year and will cover the AMI transition.
- Procurement and schedule: the utility narrowed 13 vendor submittals to four proposals and expected to finish evaluation in April, issue an ordinance in May, and present a vendor selection ordinance in early June. Full implementation, including network design, software integration, and meter installations, is scheduled to take a little under three years with meter installations lasting about 27 months and a target completion in May 2028.
- Customer costs: staff and alderpersons emphasized that the meter replacements will be done at no charge to customers. Rogers said the proposals include public‑facing portals that allow customers to view detailed usage data and that the utility will explore incentives such as discounted smart thermostats for income‑eligible residents.

Staff cautioned about cybersecurity and privacy, saying the AMI communications must meet NERC and IEC standards and be secured to prevent unauthorized account access. Rogers described options like prepay accounts, automatic shutoff on depleted prepayment balances, and improved outage-isolation capabilities.

Integrated Resource Plan and pending state bill
CWLP also said it is slowing the formal IRP procurement and major staff effort until the Legislature acts on a bill that would require municipal and cooperative utilities to adopt prescriptive IRPs every three years and give more oversight to the Illinois Power Agency. Staff described the introduced bill as broader and more prescriptive than the 2021 Clean Energy Jobs Act and said the bill could alter public‑participation rules and who can perform IRPs.

\"We have to really kind of put things on hold to see and to make sure whatever we do will meet the requirements of the legislation as it's passed,\" CWLP presenter Doug said. Several aldermen pushed back, saying projects typically continue while waiting for legislative outcomes and that a short delay may be all that is necessary. Rogers and other staff said the pause is to avoid spending staff time and money on work that might have to be redone if the bill becomes law.

Other CWLP items
- Carbon capture pilot: staff said a research-focused carbon-capture pilot will begin operations in May to test capture technology; the project will not include long‑term CO2 storage, and the Carbon Safe Grant will fund geological data collection and a planned well drilling for site characterization near (south of) Springfield.
- Solar procurement: staff said an ordinance for a 25‑megawatt solar purchase was close to final terms and would appear before the Council soon.

What was not decided
CWLP did not present a final vendor or ordinance for AMI at this meeting. The IRP was not adopted; staff characterized the pause as temporary pending the state bill's fate.

Ending note
Staff promised further briefings at the committee when the vendor is selected and again as installation begins. Aldermen requested additional public communications and periodic updates so residents and community groups can prepare for installation phases and potential rate and program changes.","CWLP officials presented a plan to install advanced metering infrastructure for roughly 70,000 electric accounts funded from 2025 bond-refinancing savings, and said work on an Integrated Resource Plan is paused while a pending state bill could change IRP requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise censorship, transparency and public‑comment concerns at Committee of the Whole

Committee of the Whole approves consent package including public-works contracts, equipment purchases and appointments

Springfield utility outlines plan to install advanced meters, pauses IRP work pending state bill