Please provide your feedback for the revision to the IHLS Public Comment Policy.

Illinois Heartland Library System is in the process of updating the IHLS Public Comment Policy. This policy has been vetted by legal counsel and was reviewed in a first reading at the Illinois Heartland Library System Board of Directors meeting on May 23, 2023. It is now being sent for member comment. Members of Illinois Heartland Library System are encouraged to review the proposed policy and share their comments. 

Please find the revised policy below, with changes underlined. Then, click the "Add Your Statement" button below to make your comment.

Those wishing to make a public comment relevant or germane to System business need to appear at an Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) hub, and should identify themselves at the beginning of each meeting as attendees at each location are recognized and indicate that they would like to speak during the public comment section of the agenda. They will also be asked to identify themselves when called at that point in the agenda. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes or less for a total of 30 minutes per meeting. If more than six people wish to speak, the 30 minutes allowed will be divided equally among all the speakers. The secretary will monitor the allotted time. If needed, that time can be extended at the discretion of the board. Each speaker must maintain civility and shall not disrupt the meeting by using obscene or threatening language. Any person who does so, or who poses a threat to public safety, will be removed from the meeting and the IHLS hub. These provisions will also apply to all meetings which include electronic attendance of members conducted under the System's Meetings via Electronic Means policy.

Public comment will close after Friday, June 16, 2023. A second reading will be held before the board takes action on the revision at their June 20, 2023, board meeting.