Franklin Park council agrees to send letter supporting amendment to House Bill 1291 on legal advertising

Franklin Park council members discussed a proposed state bill and a companion amendment that would allow municipalities to use local government websites instead of print newspapers for required legal notices, and the council reached a consensus to send a letter supporting the amendment.

Council members reviewed an urgent notice circulated by a local advocacy group and discussed the practical consequences of the bill and amendment. One member noted that the Post-Gazette currently handles some legal advertising but is reported to be cutting physical print frequency; another member observed that advertising costs in some print editions (Sunday) are much higher and that publishing deadlines complicate timely notices.

A council member summarized the legislative posture: the state representative for the area is listed as a co-sponsor of the bill and the area senator is a sponsor. The transcript records a named sponsor, "Becca," as being involved with the bill.

After brief discussion about the balance between protecting small publishers and modernizing public notice options, council members agreed to prepare a letter supporting the amendment to allow local governments to use their own website or the county website for required legal advertising. The council did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; the exchange indicates consensus to draft and send a borough letter for the representative and senators.

What happens next: staff will draft the letter for council review and place the item on a future agenda for formal approval if required.