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March 28, 2024

AG: Pecatonica Township violated state law a second time: Right to Speak –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On October 24, 2019

Winnebago Co. (ECWd) –

For the reasons explained below, the Public Access Bureau concludes that the Pecatonica Township Board violated the requirements of the OMA in connection with its January 15, 2019, meeting by enforcing an unreasonable public comment rule to prohibit a member of the public from addressing the Board.” Read the AG Opinion (here) or below.

The public comment rule at this meeting, like the previous documented violation (here) deals with the unreasonable rule of requiring a person to sign up at least 15 minutes in advance of a meeting in order to address the Board.

This Board knows it is unreasonable and that it violates the Open Meetings Act since the Attorney General has previously stated it is a violation, but they continue to refuse to comply with state law.

At this Jan 15, 2019, meeting, the person signed up 13 minutes in advance of the meeting and was prohibited from speaking

She was in line to sign the sheet, but the Road Commissioner was in the way, blocking her from accessing the signup sheet. After the Road Commissioner moved, she attempted to sign the sheet, but there was no writing instrument available. Once a writing instrument was located, it was only 13 minutes prior to the meeting and the Board prohibited her from speaking.

One thing we continually mention with regards to public comment rules, was also stated in this AG Opinion:

Under the plain language of section 2. 06( g) of OMA, a public body may restrict public comment only pursuant to its established and recorded rules, which must tend to accommodate, rather than unreasonably restrict, the right to address public officials.”

2019 PAC 56533 Leigh 2 min_Redacted

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7 Comments
  • Thomas C Halterman
    Posted at 14:23h, 24 October

    Just how petty are these people?

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 14:26h, 24 October

      Petty is a massive understatement.
      It gets worse, more articles forthcoming.

  • jannie
    Posted at 15:34h, 24 October

    wow – it was obvious they didn’t want this person to speak!

  • Todd Milliron
    Posted at 16:44h, 24 October

    A Blocking Township Road Commissioner being a lineman for this Board of Trustee’s Fiefdom. Do not forget to kiss the ring of the Township Supervisor before you get to the Speaker’s Podium.

  • Don Sandell D.C.
    Posted at 18:25h, 24 October

    Hogwash

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 18:45h, 24 October

      Did you read the opinion?

  • Cindy
    Posted at 18:42h, 24 October

    Gee, where’s that arrogant misspelling loudmouth now to defend this hegemony? Maybe she only hates that one critic.

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