Trustees adopt social-media policy with comments disabled; staff to research how to enable comments later

MUNDELEIN, Ill. — The Village of Mundelein Board of Trustees approved a social-media policy (VB-17-19) that, as written, keeps comments disabled on village social-media posts but allows the village the option to enable comments later if the board directs staff to do so. Trustee Krinsky moved the policy; a second was recorded and the motion passed by roll call. Trustees asked how comments would be turned on if the board later desired that change. Village staff member Lynn told trustees that the policy was written so comments could be enabled administratively but that staff and the Illinois Municipal League (IML) recommend leaving comments off because of staffing, software and compliance concerns. Lynn said, “it’s staff's recommendation, IML's recommendation that we do not do that. We don't have the staff to manage that on, the way that it should be. We don't have the software to comply with the FOIA and Open Meetings Act requests that you heard, yet.” Trustees discussed whether the board could override staff recommendation and asked staff to research the cost, staffing and technical requirements needed to enable comments and to return with a staff report. The mayor and staff clarified that the policy as adopted does not itself turn comments on; any change would follow an administrative process and potentially a future board vote if trustees request one.