Executive committee narrows in-person reading of emailed public comments; amendment to announce total submissions fails

The Will County Board Executive Committee voted to amend county board rules to stop reading emailed public comments into the meeting record and instead add those written comments to the board packet. The change drew lengthier debate over public access, staff time, form letters and whether the public is being silenced.

Member Hickey offered an amendment that would require the county clerk to announce the total number of written comments received on a specific issue (not to read the comments themselves). Several members proposed alternate language — some suggested staff tallying pro/cons; others said categorizing emails would be too burdensome or difficult to classify reliably. The committee discussed legal distinctions between “public comment” and “public hearing” letters and the State's Attorney's Office guidance that letters associated with public hearings must allow the petitioner an opportunity to rebut.

A roll-call on the amendment to announce totals resulted, according to the chair's calculation, in 5 yes and 7 no; the amendment failed. The committee then returned to the original resolution to stop reading emails into the record and to have staff place emailed comments into the packet for board members and the public to read. On the final vote the motion carried by a 10–2 margin.

Supporters of the change said the committee's prior practice—started during COVID—has resulted in hours of duplicate reading of form letters that consume staff time and meeting minutes. Opponents said reading letters ensures those who cannot attend meetings have their voices recorded and that removing the practice risks silencing vulnerable residents. Several members requested that staff continue to deliver emailed comments to members as they arrive and that the record show the existence of submitted letters in the packet. Staff said public-hearing letters remain subject to different rules so petitioners retain rebuttal rights where legally required.

The committee instructed staff to add written public comments to meeting packets rather than read them aloud, and the board will implement the revised rule per the approved amendment to the county board rules.