Burr Ridge Limits Public Input, But Still Relatively Generous

BURR RIDGE, IL – Compared to most public bodies, the Burr Ridge Village Board allows a lot of opportunities for residents to comment on issues.

A meeting attendee can comment for five minutes before the board votes on any issue. The attendee also can comment at the end of the meeting.

Most boards limit speakers to three minutes and only give one opportunity during a meeting to speak.

On Monday, the Village Board decided to cap each public comment period to a half hour. That applies to every opportunity for the public to speak, which is multiple times.

Officials said the policy was in response to extended public comments about a truck stop in October and a proposed Gaza ceasefire during two recent meetings.

"The village of Burr Ridge is very liberal in allowing public comment at all portions of the meeting," the board's attorney, Mike Durkin, said Monday.

He said the half-hour limit would be an available tool, but the presiding offer of meetings could waive it.

Trustee Guy Franzese said the village has a generous and liberal public comment policy. He said he has seen more limits at other public bodies' meetings, specifically the Lyons Township High School board.

"You're given three minutes to speak. There's a large bright red timer staring at you, timing down the time you have left to speak," Franzese said. "It's quite annoying. If you run over, they cut you off."

The board unanimously voted for the new limit.