I’ve written more than a few columns about the need for public involvement in government. Most recently, during “Sunshine Week” in March 2015, I noted that during that Cook County commissioners were reconsidering their policy for accepting public comments at county board meetings.
I was delighted that commissioners were concerned about being open to feedback from the public. That is what Sunshine Week is all about. The Sunshine Week event is a national initiative of journalists, citizens and community groups intended to shine a light on the need for transparency in government all year long. The goal is to increase awareness of government activities, about the Freedom of Information Act and about cooperation and civility in government public interactions.
Back in March, County Attorney Molly Hicken found the county’s policy and presented it to commissioners for review. After much discussion, the county board decided to not change the policy, which states: . Public may address any matter of county concern. . Public asked to state name, address, and topic. . Comments limited to five minutes. . Comment period limited to 30 minutes. . Commissioners may ask/answer questions, but the purpose of the comment period is not to allow for debate. . At board’s discretion, a matter addressed during the comment period may be added to current or future agenda. . Discussion must be civil, respectful, and directed at the board, not at other members of the public.
Back in March, I expressed concern that although the guidelines seem reasonable, putting them in action could be difficult. I wondered what would happen when a citizen has something to say that can’t be said in five minutes. Or if a controversial issue has a dozen citizens wanting to speak which pushes the comment period far past 30 minutes. And the guidelines don’t state whether or not commissioners will allow citizens to take part in discussion outside of the pre-meeting comment period.
My concerns became reality at two recent county board meetings, during the public hearing on the ATV road ordinance in July and the discussion of whether or not to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day this month. Public comment was limited to two or three minutes.
Citizens were incredibly frustrated by the restriction. People who commented had to edit their thoughts on the fly or in the case of David Liechty, speaking in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, speed read through their comments. It was painful to watch.
Commissioners have realized that this is perhaps not appropriate and have discussed changing the public comment period format. No decisions have been made other than agreeing that a public comment period should be added to all county board meetings, work sessions and special meetings— everything except emergency meetings called during disasters such as fire or flood.
I hope commissioners will consider loosening the time restrictions even if there is a crowd. It is nearly impossible to say anything of substance in three minutes, let alone two. And restricting discussion to 30 minutes or an hour for a public hearing quashes public comment.
Speakers should have at least five minutes to speak, with a little leeway if they are providing relevant comment. Allowing five minutes shouldn’t significantly lengthen meetings as there are some people who do only need two minutes. It would balance itself out. And the county board chair always has the authority to ask someone to wrap up their thoughts to get things moving.
As long as citizens have something new and different to say, they should be allowed to speak whether or not the arbitrary 30-minute time limit has been reached. Again, the board chair can politely ask someone to wrap things up if what they have to say has already been said.
I think citizens have done a pretty good job policing themselves in the past. I hope citizens will continue to speak up. I hope commissioners give them the opportunity to continue to do so.
I begin to feel like most Americans don’t understand the First Amendment, don’t understand the idea of freedom of speech, and don’t understand that it’s the responsibility of the citizen to speak out.
Roger Ebert
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