Governor Signs Burke's Bill for Open Meetings Act Training

Gov. Pat Quinn signed new legislation into law last week that would require public bodies to take mandatory Open Meetings Act training.

HB 1670 is intended to increase public officials’ understanding of the Open Meetings Act and reduce violations of the law. The Open Meetings Act had required that public bodies need appoint only one or more employees to take the training. Now the law requires that elected officials take the training as well.

Burke hopes the bill will encourage more open public service.

“We must push for more transparency in government and this new law can help us do that,” Burke said in a statement. we can help reduce backroom dealings and increase accountability. The public deserves to know what their public officials are doing.”

The Open Meetings Act defines public bodies as any legislative, executive, administrative or advisory bodies of the state, county, township, city, village, incorporated town, school district or other municipal entity that is supported in whole or in part by public tax money.

State law requires public bodies to deliberate and act openly when conducting the people’s business, as opposed to meeting in a smoke-filled back room. Public bodies are required to notify the citizens in advance of public meetings, as well as their right to attend and participate in open meetings and their “right to know.”

Burke took the training while a member of the Evergreen Park Library Board.

“I’ve taken the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act training,” she said. “I thought it was a great tool and something that any board member would benefit from.”

Presently, there are no tools for enforcing HB 1670. Public bodies and officials are expected to fulfill the training on an honor system, which is offered online through the Illinois Attorney General’s office. The training is free, and any citizen can take it.

“It’s not punitive,” Burke said. “It’s more of an education and encouragement for people to become educated.”