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Council declines Will County Democratic caucus request, asks staff to finish community-room policy
Summary
A motion to allow the Will County Democratic caucus to use Crest Hill’s community room failed; councilors said a formal, written policy must be completed before approving political uses of the space.
Councilors voted down a request to allow the Will County Democratic caucus to use the city community room on Feb. 18 and Mar. 18, saying the city needs a formal, written policy to govern political and other uses of the public space.
City Clerk Christine Verchey Hall presented the request and said the clerk’s office typically oversees community-room rentals in the absence of a formal policy. Several council members said they had discussed draft policy options in previous work sessions and wanted the policy finalized before approving political events. One council member argued the community room has historically been used by a variety of groups and that restricting political organizations could open the city to claims of unequal treatment; others said a clear policy would avoid ad-hoc decisions.
Council considered motions to approve and to table the request; the motion to approve failed on a roll call. Members agreed staff would finalize a community-room usage policy at an upcoming work session and the item can be brought back for a future vote if the request fits the policy.
The record shows concern among councilors about consistent application and taxpayer use of the space; staff indicated the clerks’ office currently handles rentals pending a formal policy.
