Canton council cleared of open meetings violation
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<p align="justify">The Canton City Council did not violate the Illinois Open Meetings Act at a meeting last September, the Illinois Attorney General's Office said in a statement this week.
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<p align="justify">Alderman Joe Berardi filed a complaint after the Sept. 18 meeting, which attracted an overflow crowd. He said seating was inadequate and views were obstructed. He also said city officials determined the public could sit in a room adjoining council chambers, and that no accommodations were made to address the sound or visibility of the proceedings.
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<p align="justify">Berardi also said members of the public were told to stand behind aldermen and wait their turn to speak and that similar situations occur in council chambers with regularity.
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<p align="justify">City attorney Chrissie Peterson denied Berardi's allegations in her response to the attorney general's office that included video and audio recordings of the meeting.
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<p align="justify">Most of those standing in the back of the council chambers were city employees who attended the Sept. 18 meeting as union contract negotiations were ongoing over pay increases to cover higher insurance costs.
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<p align="justify">Berardi said he hadn't received anything from the attorney general's office.
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<p align="justify">"If they don't think there was a violation of the Open Meetings Act, I have no problem with that," he said.
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<p align="justify">Even though the council didn't violate the state law, Berardi said he thinks there needs to be a time at every meeting for the public to voice opinions.
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<p align="justify">Mayor Rod Heinze said he thought Berardi's complaint was "pathetic."
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<p align="justify">"There was no foundation for Alderman Berardi's complaint," he said. "Ever since I've been in office I've tried to conduct business in an open manner."
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<p align="justify">Heather Kimmons, general assistant public access counselor for the attorney general's office, said in a letter to the city she hopes her response won't divide the council but serve rather "as an opportunity for all concerned to reconsider and recognize the importance of public accessibility and openness."
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<p align="center">Reach Journal Star reporter Brenda Rothert at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
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