Mandatory Open Meetings Act Training for Members of Local Government

Recent amendment to Open Meetings Act requires all elected and appointed members of public bodies to receive training By Robert B. McCoy robert.mccoy@mhtlaw.com A recent amendment to the Open Meetings Act, which becomes effective January 1, 2012, requires all elected or appointed members of a public body to receive mandatory training regarding the various requirements…

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FOIA Changes in Regards to “Recurrent Requesters”

Change in legislation allows governmental bodies more time to respond By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com On August 26, 2011, Governor Quinn signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (the “Act”) designed to provide additional time for public bodies to respond to requests of “recurrent requesters”. The new law is being…

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Drafting a Social Networking Policy

Issues for districts considering whether and how to regulate employees’ electronic communications By Joshua D. Herman joshua.herman@mhtlaw.com Social networking platforms and personal technology devices provide unique opportunities to educate and interact in the modern age. Unchecked, the same technology can also lend itself to unprofessional behavior by employees and the publication or exposure of records…

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