Christian Co. (ECWd) –
The Taylorville Public Library board appears to be walking down a path of concern as it relates to transparency and 1st Amendment rights.
At a July 21, 2026, library board meeting, it was alleged that the board president invoked rules regarding people’s right to speak at a public meeting that are inconsistent with their own policy as well as the 1st Amendment.
Part of public officials’ obligations is to take the appropriate training regarding the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act. It turns out, the Taylorville Public Library Board had not complied with the law until after a person requested the applicable training certificates.
Their failure to take that training may be part of the problems outlined below that are currently under review by the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor.
According to a request for review sent to the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor, “At the board meeting, the Board President read Public Comments that does not match their policy. President stated that ” the board requests you do not make statements that are personally disrespectful or condescending to the board members or staff.”
“During public comments, Jacob Pahde stated the board is to act in the best interest of the library and all of you have failed in this”. Board President stated, ” Change how you speak or you can sit down. Another public speaker, Kayla MaGraw was also told to change how she speaks or sit down.” (emphasis added)
It appears the Board President believes he can control how people speak in a public meeting. The PAC is reviewing the matter, and we are confident such arbitrary rules will be found to have violated the intent of the Open Meetings Act and people’s right to speak.
There is a long-standing history that people have every right to express their displeasure with public officials, and doing so may, in fact, be disrespectful; however, it is well within a person’s rights.
The Board President might need to take a refresher course on the 1st Amendment.
We will update on these issues after the AG PAC makes its determination.
