Proposed rules tabled for public gatherings on McLean County government-run property

Posted on September 4, 2020
If passed, organizers would have been required to submit permit applications at least 60 days prior to a scheduled event. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A proposal regulating public gatherings like the massive protest last spring against police brutality outside the McLean County Law and Justice Center failed to win support Thursday among elected officials.

The McLean County Board’s Property Committee voted 5-2 to table a measure requiring organizers to obtain permits for gatherings of 25 or more people on county-run property or county highways.

“That effectively kills that particular proposal,” remarked Committee Chairman Josh Barnett.

Before anyone could discuss pros and cons of the ordinance, committee member Elizabeth Johnston moved to table it indefinitely.

The committee’s action came after members received a letter from the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which said the proposed edict was unconstitutional.

Johnston later explained on her Facebook page that the proposal was “hastily written with no input from the committee.”

“As County officials, we have sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the restrictions presented too great a risk to First Amendment rights to free speech and to peaceably assemble, therefore I felt the best course of action was to reject the ordinance,” said Johnston.

“I am grateful to the other Property Committee members for their votes,” she added.

Jacob Beard voted no, indicating the issue warranted discussion among committee members. Gerald Thompson also voted no.

If passed, organizers would have been required to submit permit applications at least 60 days prior to a scheduled event.

County government staffers stated that lead time was “necessary to enable the required safety precautions to be taken for the safety and welfare of the citizens of McLean County as well as potential disruptions to the business operations that the County conducts in, on and around the properties it owns, operates or maintains.”

If the ordinance had passed, event organizers would have faced fines of up to $500 for not having a permit, while participants in such gatherings would have faced fines of up to $100.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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