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March 28, 2024

AG: Onarga Library violated Open Meetings Act by voting in closed session –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On April 23, 2020

Onarga, IL. (ECWd) –

During the December 16, 2019, Onarga Public Library District meeting, the Board thought it was a good idea to enter closed session to discuss giving pay raises to their entire staff. They also thought it a good idea to vote on a pay raise while still in the closed session.

I objected at the meeting, but the Board insisted they did nothing wrong.

Knowing the Board was wrong, I submitted a Request for Review (article here) under the Open Meetings Act to the Attorney General’s Public Access Bureau.

In its determination letter, the AG-PAC concluded that the Board violated Sections 2(c)(1) and 2(e) of the OMA by improperly discussing in closed session the compensation of all of its employees and that the Board impermissibly took final action in closed session concerning its employees’ compensation.

The AG also indicated for the Library Board to vote to release the closed session audio recording.

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2 Comments
  • Dave
    Posted at 09:31h, 23 April

    Wow, gee I wonder why the board wanted to vote in raises for everyone under the cover of darkness. Good grief!

  • Doris Hubner
    Posted at 11:00h, 23 April

    This board operates in a Mafia-like manner. They don’t care about doing things right and I had struggled with that when I became a board member and then was illegally removed by the board president and a vote approved by board members. Whether voted in by the residents or in my case I took over the term of a member who moved away they cannot remove me, but they did, and this matter is yet to be resolved. They have resorted to holding private meetings which are illegal as well–all should be public. They don’t care.

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