Brian P. Crowley

Jan 7, 2025 | jdsupra.com | Brittany Begley |Brian P. Crowley

The PAC recently issued a non-binding opinion, finding a school district Board President and Vice President did not violate the OMA when they regularly met with the Superintendent, members of the school district’s administrative team, and, at times, a teacher’s union representative.

Nov 6, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Brian P. Crowley |Emily Tulloch

The PAC recently issued a non-binding opinion, finding a school district did not waive the attorney-client privilege where prior disclosures of the requested records were mandated by state law. At issue was a FOIA request for an investigation report prepared by the school district’s attorney, which detailed the attorney’s investigation into allegations of a staff member’s alleged sexual misconduct toward a student, including the attorney’s findings and recommendations.

Nov 5, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Brittany Begley |Brian P. Crowley |Emily Tulloch

The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued its tenth binding opinion of the year, finding the Village of Dolton Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by failing to make two Board meetings convenient and open to the public. The PAC addressed the OMA’s “open and convenient” meeting requirement, holding that the OMA obligated the Village to implement measures to better accommodate public access to its Board meetings.

Aug 16, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Brittany Begley |Brian P. Crowley |Emily Tulloch

The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued its seventh binding opinion of the year, finding a Village Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by taking improper action to authorize the purchase of a vehicle without adding it as an agenda item. The PAC also concluded, however, that the Village Board did not violate the OMA by permitting a Board member to regularly attend Board meetings remotely due to employment-related travel.

Mar 7, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Brittany Begley |Brian P. Crowley |Emily Tulloch

The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued a binding opinion, finding a school board violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) when it improperly discussed school curriculum during closed session. At issue were two school board meetings, one in May 2023 and another in August 2023. Prior to the board meetings, a district parent raised an objection to the inclusion of the book Just Mercy in the district’s English curriculum.