Kifowit Measure to Help Officials on Active Duty Participate in Public Meetings Sent to Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A proposal spearheaded by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, that would enable public officials who are active service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard to remotely participate in open meetings has passed the General Assembly and will be sent to the governor for final approval.

“When an official is called up for duty, they shouldn’t be penalized and left unable to participate at public meetings,” Kifowit said. “We have the technology to easily participate remotely, and we
 shouldn’t have barriers that would discourage community members, such as those in the National Guard, from being civically-engaged and pursuing a role with a public body.”

Under the existing Open Meetings Act, a public body must meet in person. If a quorum of the public body is physically present, the present members may allow another member to participate remotely. Under the current law, this remote member must not be available for one of four reasons – personal illness or disability, employment purposes or business of the public body, unexpected childcare obligations, or a family or other emergency.

The Kifowit-backed Senate Bill 243 would update the Open Meetings Act to allow an active service member, who is also a member of the public body, to participate in an open meeting remotely if a quorum of the public body is physically present.

Senate Bill 243 passed with bipartisan support, and will be sent to the governor for final approval. When signed, the measure will take effect Jan. 1.

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.