AG requests LaHarpe release closed meeting audio over open meetings violations

LaHarp, IL. (ECWd) –

On August 18, 2017, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor issued an opinion stating that the LaHarpe City Council violated the Open Meetings Act on September 26, 2016, when it entered into closed session without a finding of imminent and probable litigation and also violated the Act by discussing things outside the scope of exceptions to closed meetings.

The opinion concluded that LaHarpe:

• violated Section 2(c)(11) by not making a finding that litigation was probable or imminent and did not record the finding into the closed session minutes
• violated Section 2(c)(11) by discussing things outside the scope of the exception
• insufficient evidence to determine if the council violated Section 2a
• council did not violate Section 2.02(c) during open session

The opinion closed by requesting that the city release the verbatim recording of the improper portion of the closed session discussion and the related portion of the closed session minutes to the public.

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