Attorney General rules against Town of Normal for violation of ‘Open Meetings Act’

Posted on March 15, 2021
Mayor Chris Koos (left) could not be reached for comment. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

NORMAL – Attorney General Kwame Raoul ruled on February 22, 2021 that the Town of Normal and Mayor Chris Koos violated the Open Meetings Act in September 2019.

During the meeting on September 16, 2019, now Normal Mayoral Candidate Mark Tiritilli was not allowed to speak during public comment on the issue of local transit. He was denied the chance to speak by Mayor Koos because that item was not on the agenda for that meeting.

Tiritilli then filed a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Since that meeting, spokesperson for the Town of Normal Cathy Ollofson said the Town amended public comment guidelines. The change was made to Town policy prior to the ruling by the Attorney General.

The Attorney General’s ruling required no action by the Town of Normal because they had already changed their policy on public comment.

Mayor Chris Koos could not be reached for comment.

Marc Tiritilli, running against Koos, released the following statement: “Time and again, this council has stood against the ability of residents to speak up and be heard. This ruling proves that Mayor Koos violated the law. It is a victory for the community.”

You can read Attorney General Raoul’s ruling against the Town of Normal here:

Attorney General’s Ruling against Town of NormalDownload
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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