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HB 3032

OPEN MEETINGS-ADVISORY BODY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Marti Deuter and 1 co-sponsor

HB3032 allows advisory bodies to meet remotely (open or closed) by audio/video without a physical quorum during public-health disasters, with safeguards and ongoing public access.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3032

HB 3032 — Open Meetings Act: Advisory Body / Remote Meetings (2025)

Summary / Purpose

HB 3032 amends the Illinois Open Meetings Act to (1) clarify the definitions of "advisory body" and "decision‑making body" and (2) expressly allow an advisory body to hold open or closed meetings by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum when specified conditions are met. The bill updates procedural language and makes technical edits to Section 1.02 (definitions) and Section 7 (attendance/remote participation).

Key provisions

  • Redefines terms:
    • "Advisory body" — any public body that is a board, commission, or other subsidiary body of a decision‑making body when its purpose is to make advisory recommendations to that decision‑making body.
    • "Decision‑making body" — any public body that makes decisions to implement legislation or policy over all or any part of the State or any political subdivision or special district.
  • Remote meetings without a physical quorum:
    • Subject to Section 2.06 and other requirements, an open or closed meeting may be conducted by audio or video conference without a physical quorum if specified conditions are met.
    • Conditions include (as presented in the bill):
    • A Governor or Department of Public Health disaster declaration related to public health concerns covers all or part of the public body's jurisdiction (per Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act).
    • The Director of Public Health (or public health authority) determines an in‑person meeting is not practical or prudent due to the disaster.
    • All members participating remotely are verified and can hear the discussion and testimony (and can be heard).
    • For open meetings, members of the public present at the regular meeting location must be able to hear discussion, testimony, and votes; if attendance at the regular location is infeasible, the body must provide alternative public access and notice (telephone/web links, etc.).
    • At least one member, the chief legal counsel, or the chief administrative officer must be physically present at the regular meeting location unless infeasible due to the disaster declaration.
    • Additional procedural safeguards for votes (text truncated in source) — the bill contemplates preservation of roll‑call vote and public notice requirements.
  • Other rules:
    • Existing subsection (a)–(d) attendance rules for members unable to attend physically (illness, employment, disability, childcare, etc.) remain and public bodies may adopt rules further limiting or facilitating remote attendance.
    • Certain large or statewide bodies (e.g., statewide advisory boards, library systems, transit districts, local workforce innovation areas with >4,500 square mile jurisdiction) are subject to specific procedural rules for remote attendance.

Who is affected

  • Advisory bodies (boards, commissions, committees that make recommendations) and decision‑making bodies across State, county, municipal, township, special district and other public bodies under the Open Meetings Act.
  • Members of those bodies and members of the public seeking access to meetings; public bodies will need means to verify remote participants and to provide public access (phone or web links) during declared disasters.

Procedural / timeline notes (selected)

  • Introduced: February 6, 2025 (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr).
  • House Committee Amendment No. 1 filed: March 17, 2025.
  • Passed House (3rd reading): May 10, 2025; received from the House May 12, 2025.
  • Committee actions: Referred and re‑referred to Rules Committee under Rule 19(c) and considered in Higher Education and Executive Committees; committee reports and hearings occurred in April–May 2025.
  • Current status (per provided record): House Committee Amendment No. 1 filed and re‑referred to Rules Committee; bill had passed the House on May 10, 2025 and was transmitted to the next chamber.

Potential impact / considerations

  • Expands and clarifies the legal basis for remote meetings by advisory bodies during public‑health disasters while preserving public‑access safeguards (verification, at least one official physically present, public ability to hear discussion and votes).
  • Requires public bodies to plan for alternative public‑access methods and to adopt internal rules consistent with the Act.
  • May increase reliance on teleconferencing technology for advisory bodies during declared disasters while maintaining transparency requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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