Jacksonville Public Library

Library Hours Wireless Printing Manage Your Account

Search Our Catalog




Public Comment Policy

Public Comment Policy

 

All regular and special library board meetings are conducted in compliance with the Illinois Open Meeting Act and are therefore open to the public.  Members of the public shall be permitted an opportunity to address the Library Board of Trustees during regular and special board meetings.

  • Persons wishing to speak must be present at the meeting.  Public comment by use of any telecommunications device will not be permitted except in the case of individuals with disabilities that prevent them from attending in person.  Individuals who cannot attend due to disability or who require disability-related accommodation to allow them to observe and/or participate are requested to contact the library in advance, if possible, to allow the library to try to arrange reasonable accommodation.
  • Public comments are permitted during the public comment period designated on the agenda of regular and special board meetings.  The public comment period shall not exceed a total of thirty (30) minutes, except with the consent of the Board of Trustees.
  • The Board President or designee may also grant a request to address the board during other portions of the meeting.
  • At the beginning of the public comment period of the meeting, the Board President or designee will ask if anyone wishes to address the Board and will determine the order in which speakers will be recognized.
  • Every speaker shall provide their name, and affiliation, if any.  Each speaker is invited, but not required, to state whether they are a Jacksonville resident.
  • Public comments may pertain to any library-related issue, whether on that meeting’s agenda or not.
  • Public comments will be limited to five (5) minutes per speaker.  The speaker’s comments will be timed.  The Board President or designee shall have the discretion to modify the time limit, as well as to limit repetitive comments.
  • The Board President or designee is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and may direct a speaker to sit down or leave the meeting if the speaker has exceeded their time or becomes abusive in language or behavior.
  • An immediate response from the Board to any public comments is not required.

 

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 3/10/2025