Interruptions An Issue In Hinsdale D-86

HINSDALE, IL – Interruptions at a Hinsdale High School District 86 board meeting last month became an issue, prompting a watchdog to file a complaint.

But the attorney general ruled against the watchdog, Edgar Pal, saying the board followed the law.

At a June 23 meeting, board member Peggy James decided to speak during public input. That's when residents get a chance to speak.

During her time, James focused on closed meeting minutes that she had drafted as the board's secretary. But she said board President Erik Held made major edits.

Board Vice President Kathleen Hirsman, who presided over the meeting, interrupted James.

"Excuse me," Hirsman said. "I'm going to ask you to stop at this point because you're getting into–"

Members of the audience protested the interruption, noting James was only given three minutes to speak.

"Stop the clock!" a couple of audience members yelled.

Hirsman replied, "Excuse me, I'm the chairman of this meeting, not the audience."

A man shouted, "You answer to us!"

Hirsman pointed her finger at the man, "Excuse me, you are out of order. I'm going to ask you to leave if you can't be quiet right now. I mean it. Don't talk."

Hirsman then told James, "You cannot discuss anything that is confidential information that this board would consider in closed session."

Hirsman gave back James the time she lost.

On July 3, Pal filed a complaint with the attorney general, which weighs in on Open Meetings Act issues. The law requires government bodies to give members of the public an opportunity to comment during meetings.

Each body must set the parameters of public input. In District 86, each resident gets three minutes.

Pal argued James did not get her time under the board policy because of two interruptions.

On July 12, the attorney general's office responded by noting the language of the law, which gives "members of the public" the right to comment. The office pointed to its 2018 opinion, in which it determined that the law applied to members of the public, not board members themselves.

"(P)ublic officials who are members of public bodies are entitled to fully participate in meetings and are not reliant on provisions within (the Open Meetings Act) to ensure that they can communicate with their fellow public officials," the office said.

Pal has scored a number of victories on open government issues in recent years. He lived in Elmhurst, but has since moved to Chicago.

He has prevailed over both Elmhurst School District 205 and the city of Elmhurst, among others.

Pal declined to comment on the attorney general's recent determination.