Civil Penalties: In a civil lawsuit for a violation of OMA, a court may take a number of actions, including (1) ordering a public body to conduct an open meeting, (2) granting an injunction against future violations by the public body, (3) ordering the public body to make available to the public the minutes of a closed ...
Annual Meeting Attendance of 20% of the voting power constitutes a quorum. Notice of association meetings must be given at least 10 days before a meeting but no more than 30 days, and at least 48 hours' notice must be given for meetings of the board of directors.
The Open Meetings Act is a state law that requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public except in certain specific, limited situations (discussed in more detail below) where the law authorizes the public body to close a meeting.
If a court finds a meeting has been held in violation of the Open Meetings Act, it can award a civil penalty of at least $1 but not more than $1,000 or one half of the defendant's monthly salary, whichever is less, for each meeting held in violation. Ala. Code § 36-25A-9(g).
FOIA is the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request.
The Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) (5 ILCS 120/1) provides the people of the State of Illinois with the right to be informed as to the conduct of public business. The OMA declares that it is the intent of the Act that public bodies take action (vote) in open meetings, and that public bodies deliberate openly.
Annual Meeting Attendance of 20% of the voting power constitutes a quorum. Notice of association meetings must be given at least 10 days before a meeting but no more than 30 days, and at least 48 hours' notice must be given for meetings of the board of directors.
Ing to 5 ILCS 120/Open Meetings Act, it is the public policy of Illinois that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business.
Ingly, for a 5-member public body, 3 members of the body constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of 3 members is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance, unless a greater number is otherwise required.