MCHS crash and dash

According to a report in the Joliet Herald News, a student driver struck a dog during a driving lesson last month. Then, instead of stopping, the driver's education teacher allegedly instructed the student to leave the scene of the accident.

Teacher and student sped away as the dog died in its owner's arms.

City of Morris violates Open Meetings Act?

The City of Morris does not post agendas for city council meetings on it's website.

This omission seems to be in violation of the Open Meetings Act, Sec. 2.02(a), which provides that:

"A public body that has a website that the full‑time staff of the public body maintains shall also post on its website the agenda of any regular meetings of the governing body of that public body."

And, according to the Better Government Association, the City of Morris also has trouble complying with the Freedom of Information Act. Read their report here.

Alderman opposes wasteful spending, misuse of TIF

At the June 18 city council meeting, alderman Darrell Brown said he was concerned there would not be a vote on the new city hall building until after the bids have been received.

“I am concerned about spending $9 million from the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) fund,” he said. “TIF is for blighted areas or to upgrade existing structures.”

Brown said he understood the city and the police department need more space, but indicated he did not agree with spending $9 to $12 million on a new building.

He suggested a smaller building could be constructed in the parking lot adjacent to the current city hall. That building could be used by the city, with the current city hall turned over to the police department.

City attorney squelches alderman

The Morris Daily Herald has published an article by Mike Farrell entitled "Extra alderman's involvement could violate law." The article is not available online.

In the article, Farrell explains why Alderman Don Matteson was not permitted to speak when he attended a meeting of a committee of which he is not a member.

Unbelievable? Yes, according to Mike Farrell, our city attorney has recommended that aldermen not be permitted to speak at committee meetings!

The explanation given by our pricey city attorney is that a fourth alderman would make a "majority of a quorum and could be a violation of the Open Meetings Act."

The Open Meetings Act, according to guidelines published by Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is intended "to ensure that the actions of public bodies be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly."

The Act, with few exceptions, requires that "all meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public." A "meeting" is defined as "any gathering of a majority of a quorum of the members of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business."

Most, if not all, Morris city council committees consist of three alderman members. Thus, two committee members would constitute a majority of a quorum. This simply triggers the requirement (which the city complies with) that the meeting be open to the public, and that there must be public notice of the meeting.

Nothing in the Open Meetings Act remotely suggests that any individual, alderman or private citizen, is prohibited from speaking at a public meeting.


Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Open Meetings Act website

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Tractor adventure trumps city park

The Morris Daily Herald reports that:

"[t]he Finance Committee received approval for donating $8,000 for the Heritage Tractor Adventure and making a $15,000 payment to the Morris Downtown Development Partnership."

And at the same meeting:

"Alderman Martha Shugart reported a group of 15-and-16 year-olds has volunteered to upgrade McKinley Park. She reported the Public Works Department has smoothed out the basketball court and the teenagers will do painting, cleaning and doing other work at the park. She reported the gravel in the parks will have to be removed and replaced with a product made from recycled tires. Alderman Shugart said the city would appreciate any donations to help cover the cost of this product."

Anyone see the irony here? The city of Morris gives away $23,000 of taxpayer money in "donations," while simultaneously soliciting donations of time and money from the public for upkeep to McKinley Park?

And to boot, the city failed to act on a contract for the police.

Shouldn't park maintenance and police protection take priority over donations for a "Tractor Adventure?"

One might ask why the city making donations at all. Shouldn't individual citizens decide for themselves what charities they give too? Is it really charitable if you are giving away someone else's money? Is this a proper use for tax dollars?

To Alderman Shugart's credit, she is the only alderman to vote against the donation for the "Tractor Adventure."

( Just a reminder: First Installment of your Property Tax Adventure is due June 11. )


Morris Daily Herald article