Skokie board adopts resolution on executive-session minutes, authorizes executive session on pending litigation

The Skokie Village Board on Jan. 21 adopted a resolution on the approval, release and continued confidentiality of executive-session minutes and considered the statutory status of associated verbatim recordings.

Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge told the board the resolution "consistent with village procedure and state statute" addresses approval, release or continued confidentiality of executive-session minutes and that the statutory trigger date for destruction of verbatim recordings for some sessions had not yet occurred. He also noted that executive sessions listed in exhibit 3, while eligible by date, were not recommended for destruction at this time.

Following Lorge's presentation, a motion to adopt the resolution was made by Trustee Johnson and seconded by a trustee whose name was recorded in the transcript as not specified. The board approved the resolution by roll call; the clerk recorded ayes from six members with one member absent.

Lorge then requested an executive session "in accordance with paragraph 2 c 11 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act pertaining to the review and discussion of pending litigation." A motion to hold that executive session, moved by Trustee Sucker and seconded by Trustee Robinson, passed on the board's roll call vote. The board adjourned to executive session following the vote.

The resolution references exhibits 1, 2 and 3 with specific executive-session minutes and verbatim recordings; the transcript records counsel's recommendation that some recordings are not yet eligible for destruction and that others, while eligible by date, should be retained. The board did not detail the contents of those exhibits in the public record during the meeting.