Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Meetings Act topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Village attorney outlines Open Meetings Act risks and social-media guidance
Summary
Village Attorney Scott Puma reviewed the Illinois Open Meetings Act, clarified how social-media activity can constitute a public meeting and encouraged commissioners to consult staff with project questions; he also reiterated landowners' rights to a fair hearing.
Village Attorney Scott Puma addressed the Special Joint Meeting of the Whole on April 6, 2026 to review the Illinois Open Meetings Act and best practices for members' use of social media. Puma explained what constitutes a meeting for OMA purposes and reminded commissioners of the importance of preserving open public hearings and the rights of landowners to a fair hearing.
Puma "encouraged commissioners to reach out to staff to answer any detailed questions about projects," the minutes record. He also reviewed social-media best practices to avoid creating inadvertent public-meeting activity. The clarification was presented as guidance; no formal disciplinary or enforcement action was taken at the meeting.
