You Can Attend Local Government Meetings & Provide Comments
'Democracy can't function without an informed citizenry.' – Ryan Shapiro, co-founder and executive director of the national security transparency nonprofit Property of the People After a particularly active news week involving city and county government action, election results and other civic matters, The Community News Brief staff thought this was the ideal time to share a 'Did You Know' piece about how to get involved in city and county government and make your opinions, thoughts and feelings known to elected officials.
Citizens can attend city council, county board, school board, park board and university board meetings, including any committee/sub-committee meetings. Time for public comment is required so those attending can provide comment based on the discussion/action items on the agenda (usually up to three minutes, and again related to an item on the agenda – it's not the time to complain about your neighbor's dog barking unless a discussion item on the agenda specifically mentions something like nuisance animals). If you cannot attend in person, or if the thought of public speaking gives you butterflies, you can email your comments to be read into the record.
CNB writers cover numerous meetings in Macomb and surrounding communities, and we've all noticed a similarity: there are few members of the public who take advantage of their right to speak up for or against an item on the agenda (or attend a meeting to stay abreast of the goings-on). We report on Macomb City Council (and committees), Macomb School Board, McDonough County Board (and select committees), Colchester City Council, Colchester School Board, Macomb Park District, the Village of Industry and others, such as the MDH Board of Directors, as time – and staffing – allows. Along with Tri States Public Radio, The Community News Brief strives to keep our region's residents apprised of public bodies' action; however, we can only do so much and be in so many places.
This is where residents come in. If you have a question or concern about an action or discussion item, attend a meeting to learn more. If you wish to speak during the public comments portion, take the time that is allowed.
Government body meeting agendas are required by the Open Meetings Act to be posted 48 hours prior to a meeting. Meeting schedules are also required to be made publicly available. Contact information is also available on the respective websites, so you can also write to your Board/council members to express your opinion.
For people who wish to get more involved in city/county government, here's where you can find agendas and schedules, including boards, commissions and sub-committees - all are public meetings. You can also find county/city/school/park officials on these websites and their contact information: McDonough County Board: mcg. mcdonough.il.us/agendas.shtml Macomb City Council & Commissions: cityofmacomb.com/agendasminutes- schedules Macomb School Board: macomb185. org/73/Board-of-Education Macomb Park District: macombparkdistrict. com/about/board-of-commissioners West Prairie School Board: wp103.org/ page/board-meetings City of Colchester: cityofcolchesteril.gov BPC School Board: bpcschools. org/54157_3 Bushnell City Council: bushnell.illinois. gov Western Illinois University Board of Trustees: wiu.edu/board_of_trustees/ minutes/index.php Spoon River College Board of Trustees: src.edu/about-src/board-of-trustees Interested in running for office? See our 'Did You Know … You Can Run for Office?' in an upcoming edition of The Community News Brief.
