{
 "topic": "OMA section 1.02",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 120/1.02",
 "family": "Definitions and scope",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/oma-1-02/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 18,
  "no_violation": 43,
  "no_determination": 0,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": {
  "generated_by": "AI summary of the decisions listed on this page; not legal advice; verify each decision against its PDF",
  "when_a_challenge_is_strong": [
   {
    "text": "A majority of a quorum gathered (in person or by conference call) and engaged in interactive discussion to collect information or exchange facts on public business, even if no vote was taken or the body lacked authority to act on that matter.",
    "why": "OMA defines a meeting as any gathering of a majority of a quorum held for the purpose of discussing public business; collective inquiry and fact-exchange qualify.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Proof-of-residency requirement for a public meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78085/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Unannounced pre-meeting gatherings and a blocked board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49828/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Private agency funding hearings and missing meeting agendas",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37831/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's closed-session discussion of policy recommendations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68599/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Commissioners' discussions on property tax code amendments",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68344/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Private discussion of employee insurance coverage",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44882/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Unannounced conference call among board members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61343/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The group was created by a government entity, has defined responsibilities, a formal role in decision-making, and is supported by tax revenue.",
    "why": "Such groups are subsidiary or advisory public bodies subject to OMA.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A DEI subcommittee's failure to provide meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78082/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Board vote to appoint an executive director without agenda notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61108/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An advisory committee's closed meetings and missing records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60134/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city task force's compliance with the Open Meetings Act",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-42647/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An enterprise zone advisory board's OMA compliance",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44489/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Regional trauma advisory committees' OMA status",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37555/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The mayor or similar official counts toward a quorum under the applicable code, and a gathering of that official plus enough members to reach a majority of a quorum discussed public business.",
    "why": "The official's presence counts toward the quorum, making the gathering a meeting.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A city council's unannounced private gathering",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80554/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "Communications occurred through serial one-on-one conversations (in person, by phone, or electronically) without a contemporaneous gathering of a majority of a quorum.",
    "why": "OMA requires a gathering of a majority of a quorum for contemporaneous interactive communication; serial contacts do not qualify.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's letter signed by a majority of members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90482/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Board deliberation on a censure resolution outside a public meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81208/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's agenda description for a censure vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77429/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A park district board's discussion of a citizen's agenda motion",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-64798/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Members merely attended a presentation, forum, or site visit without engaging in interactive deliberation among themselves on public business.",
    "why": "Attendance alone, without collective discussion of public business, is not a meeting.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A county board's Zoom gathering of committee members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84869/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Informal gatherings of a village board",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84125/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Proof-of-residency requirement for a public meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78085/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Board members' presence at a committee budget hearing",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77468/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A community meeting attended by a council member",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58228/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A council's gathering with a reporter",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52300/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Village board members' attendance at public forums",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51521/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Village board members' attendance at public forums",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51521/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A chamber of commerce breakfast with local officials",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52223/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village committee's gathering at a private residence",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49436/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Joint sessions of a university board with affiliated foundation members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47674/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's campaign fundraiser gathering",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49967/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The group is an informal, ad hoc collection of volunteers with no formal appointment, no bylaws, no budget, and no binding authority, and is not subject to government control.",
    "why": "Such groups are not public bodies under OMA.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A Community Advisory Group meeting under OMA",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81492/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school district parent committee meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74441/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A violence prevention planning committee's meeting openness",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-67024/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A bilingual parent advisory committee's OMA status",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48412/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed meetings of a university president's staff committee",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56265/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed meetings of a university president's staff committee",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56265/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "An ad-hoc committee evaluating redevelopment RFQs",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49497/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Superintendent's task force as a public body",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45537/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If a majority of a quorum gathered and collectively discussed public business—even to just collect information or exchange facts—state that this is a meeting under OMA, and cite decisions like D1438.2 and D1215.1.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Proof-of-residency requirement for a public meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78085/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Unannounced pre-meeting gatherings and a blocked board meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49828/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the group was created by the government, has a formal role, and uses tax money, argue it is a public body that must follow OMA. See D1437.1 and D1179.1.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A DEI subcommittee's failure to provide meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78082/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city task force's compliance with the Open Meetings Act",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-42647/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the mayor or village president was present and counts toward a quorum under your local code, include that in your count to show a majority of a quorum was reached. See D1457.1.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A city council's unannounced private gathering",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80554/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Number of members present and whether they constituted a majority of a quorum.",
   "Whether the members engaged in interactive discussion about public business (e.g., exchanging views, asking questions, collecting information for future action).",
   "Whether the group was created by a government entity, has defined duties, receives public funds, or makes recommendations that are adopted.",
   "Whether communications were contemporaneous (happening at the same time) or separated by time.",
   "The specific code provision that defines the quorum for the body, especially if it includes the mayor or other official."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any gathering of public body members, even for social or informational purposes, is a meeting. (D1297.2, D1250.1)",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Private meetings of city council members at local establishments",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-57843/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A chamber of commerce breakfast with local officials",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52223/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that serial one-on-one conversations among members constitute a meeting. (D1505.1, D1462.1)",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's letter signed by a majority of members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90482/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Board deliberation on a censure resolution outside a public meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81208/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Treating an informal volunteer group with no government control as a public body. (D1463.1, D1399.1)",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A Community Advisory Group meeting under OMA",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81492/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school district parent committee meeting",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74441/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that e-mails sent hours or days apart are a contemporaneous meeting. (D1262.1, D1167.1)",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Board members' emails coordinating a public statement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53781/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Board members' emails on a board seat and contract",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39667/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; outcomes depend on specific facts, and you should verify the full PDF for context."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Whether serial one-on-one communications constituted a meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A meeting requires contemporaneous interactive communications involving at least a majority of a quorum; serial one-on-one communications do not qualify.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's letter signed by a majority of members",
    "date": "2026-07-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90482/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 88826, issued March 11, 2026",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 61343, issued February 25, 2020",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61343/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 81208, issued March 26, 2025",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81208/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Facebook comments by trustees as OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Facebook comments by trustees directed at constituents, without interactive deliberation among a majority of a quorum, did not constitute a meeting under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Trustees' Facebook comments as a public meeting",
    "date": "2025-05-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-86190/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38142, issued September 2, 2016",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Zoom gathering was an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not an OMA meeting unless members engage in collective inquiry or deliberative discussions of public business beyond mere attendance at a presentation.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A county board's Zoom gathering of committee members",
    "date": "2025-09-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84869/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974, at 7",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004, issued July 14, 1995, at 10-11",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-003, issued March 14, 2023, at 6-7",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-74768/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 25-011, issued August 12, 2025, at 7, 10",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2025-pac-86835/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the November 23, 2024 gathering was a 'meeting' under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not a 'meeting' unless a majority of a quorum engages in collective inquiry or deliberation on public business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Informal gatherings of a village board",
    "date": "2025-10-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84125/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974, at 7",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004, issued July 14, 1995, at 10-11",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-003, issued March 14, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-74768/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 25-011, issued August 12, 2025, at 7, 10",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2025-pac-86835/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 51521 and 51896, issued June 13, 2018, at 4",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51521/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether serial one-on-one discussions constituted a meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A meeting requires a gathering of a majority of a quorum; serial one-on-one discussions involving fewer than three members do not constitute a meeting under the plain language of OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board deliberation on a censure resolution outside a public meeting",
    "date": "2025-03-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81208/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Willems v. State, 2014 Mont. 82",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dillman v. Trustees of Indiana University, 848 N.E.2d 348 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Slagle v. Ross, 125 So. 3d 117 (Ala. 2012)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Hildebran Heritage & Development Ass'n v. Town of Hildebran, 252 N.C. App. 286 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Del Papa v. Board of Regents of University & Community College System of Nevada, 114 Nev. 388 (Nev. 1988)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Stockton Newspapers v. Redevelopment Agency, 171 Cal. App. 3d 95 (Cal. App. 1985)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Wood v. Battle Ground School District, 107 Wn. App. 550 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kan. Op. Att'y Gen. 98-26 (1998)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Req. Rev. Ltr. 24827, issued June 8, 2015",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Req. Rev. Ltr. S-0478, issued December 27, 2021",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-003, issued March 14, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-74768/"
    },
    {
     "text": "City of Elkhorn v. City of Omaha, 272 Neb. 867 (Neb. 2007)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the CAG is a public body subject to OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "An ad hoc group of external volunteers with no formal appointment, no bylaws, no budget, and no binding authority is not a public body under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A Community Advisory Group meeting under OMA",
    "date": "2024-11-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81492/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Cooper v. Carlson, 28 Ill. App. 3d 569, 572 (1975)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-143565/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 801 (1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of the Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 980-81 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Better Government Ass'n v. Illinois High School Ass'n, 2017 IL 121124, ¶ 26",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20151356/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether mayor counts toward quorum for OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The mayor counts toward a quorum under the Municipal Code, so a gathering of the mayor and two alderpersons is a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's unannounced private gathering",
    "date": "2024-06-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80554/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Quad Cities Open, Inc. v. City of Silvis, 208 Ill. 2d 498, 505-06 (2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "McLean v. East St. Louis, 222 Ill. 510, 517 (1906)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Quorum and vote requirement to fill park district board vacancy",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "For a five-member park district board, the more specific and recently amended Park District Code vacancy-filling procedure prevails over OMA's general three-vote quorum requirement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Appointment of a new board member by a sub-quorum",
    "date": "2024-03-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80103/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "In re Craig H., 2022 IL 126256",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Shively v. Belleville Township High School District No. 201, 329 Ill. App. 3d 1156 (2002)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Board gathering as OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not a meeting if members make only limited informational remarks and do not engage in interactive deliberation or exchange facts for future action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Proof-of-residency requirement for a public meeting",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78085/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Council gathering as OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting when members engage in interactive discussion to collect information on public business within their authority.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Proof-of-residency requirement for a public meeting",
    "date": "2024-03-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78085/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-003",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-74768/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether DEI subcommittees are public bodies under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Subsidiary bodies, including subcommittees supported by tax revenue, are public bodies subject to OMA; key factors are government creation and control.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A DEI subcommittee's failure to provide meeting notice",
    "date": "2024-04-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-78082/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Better Government Ass'n v. Illinois High School Ass'n, 2017 IL 121124, ¶ 26",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20151356/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Interviews by First Assistant Commissioners as meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is a meeting only if members of the public body participate; subordinates acting as proxies are not members subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Hiring of a General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer",
    "date": "2024-10-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77643/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Alleged secret meeting on committee assignments",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A 'meeting' requires a gathering of a majority of a quorum for discussing public business; one-on-one conversations do not meet this definition.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's agenda description for a censure vote",
    "date": "2024-02-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77429/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether March 16, 2023 Zoom call was an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A campaign event where board members communicate their views to the public to promote candidacies, without deliberating among themselves on public business, is not a meeting under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A campaign town hall attended by a school board quorum",
    "date": "2024-11-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75965/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D.Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 13792, issued July 6, 2011",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 23-003, issued March 14, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-74768/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether ACT Board is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "An entity is a subsidiary body if it has a public purpose and the government exercises significant control, outweighing independent contractor status.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board vote to appoint an executive director without agenda notice",
    "date": "2024-12-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61108/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Better Government Ass'n v. Illinois High School Ass'n, 2017 IL 121124",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20151356/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Hopf v. Topcorp, 256 Ill. App. 3d 887 (1993)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Board members' attendance at Committee hearing constituted an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting only if members collectively engage in deliberative discussions of public business; merely attending and conveying information to another body does not trigger OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board members' presence at a committee budget hearing",
    "date": "2023-10-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77468/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "2016 PAC 38142",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Alleged unnoticed meeting on March 25, 2022",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Separate conversations among trustees in the boardroom did not constitute a meeting because there was no deliberation of public business together.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
    "date": "2023-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Alleged secret meeting to select Village President before April 4, 2022",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Communications among trustees were not contemporaneous and interactive, so they did not constitute a meeting under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
    "date": "2023-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 14722, issued August 12, 2011",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-14722/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18676, issued September 9, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 40976, issued August 24, 2016",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Reg. Rev. Ltr. 54002, issued October 22, 2018",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Alleged serial meetings or walking quorum",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Separate one-on-one conversations over a longer period were not close enough in time to be contemporaneous and interactive.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private board meetings to discuss appointing a village president",
    "date": "2023-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71226/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 14722, issued August 12, 2011",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-14722/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Reg. Rev. Ltr. 54002, issued October 22, 2018",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "An informal parent support group that is not formally appointed, has no deliberative function, and is not subject to government control is not a public body under OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district parent committee meeting",
    "date": "2022-12-30",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74441/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of the Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Hopf v. Topcorp, Inc., 256 Ill. App. 3d 887, 892 (1st Dist. 1993)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-140136/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper private meeting via electronic communication",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No facts indicate a majority of a quorum engaged in contemporaneous interactive communication constituting a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Informal straw polls to set a board agenda",
    "date": "2022-04-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70527/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper closed meeting on March 10, 2021",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum of a public body to discuss public business, including policy matters not requiring a vote, must comply with OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's closed-session discussion of policy recommendations",
    "date": "2022-01-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68599/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "City of Champaign v. Madigan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120662",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120662/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Copley Press, Inc. v. Board of Education for Peoria School District No. 150, 359 Ill. App. 3d 321, 834 N.E.2d 558 (3d Dist. 2005)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Discussions of proposed legislative amendment by two commissioners",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "OMA applies to gatherings of a majority of a quorum discussing public business, even if no formal vote is taken and the body lacks authority to act on the matter.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Commissioners' discussions on property tax code amendments",
    "date": "2022-12-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68344/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "City of Champaign v. Madigan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120662",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120662/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Copley Press, Inc. v. Board of Education for Peoria School District No. 150, 359 Ill. App. 3d 321 (3d Dist. 2005)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "2021 PAC S-0135",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Acker v. Texas Water Commission, 790 S.W.2d 299 (Tex. 1990)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "St. Cloud Newspaper, Inc., v. District 742 Community Schools, 332 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. 1983)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "An entity is a public body only if it is an advisory or subsidiary body of a public body, considering appointment, duties, control, funding, and functions.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A violence prevention planning committee's meeting openness",
    "date": "2021-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-67024/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Better Government Ass'n v. Illinois High School Ass'n, 2017 IL 121124, 126, 89 N.E.3d 376, 384 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20151356/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Reg. Rev. Ltr. 45537, issued April 6, 2017",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Reg. Rev. Ltr. 64667, issued September 15, 2020",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Hopf v. Topcorp. Inc., 170 Ill. App. 3d 88, 92-93 (1st Dist. 1998)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-140136/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Board held improper meeting via separate discussions",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Separate conversations between an employee and individual board members are not a meeting because no majority of a quorum gathered for contemporaneous discussion.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A park district board's discussion of a citizen's agenda motion",
    "date": "2021-02-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-64798/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "March 26, 2020 conference call was a meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum discussing public business is a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
    "date": "2020-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "City of Champaign v. Madigan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120662",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120662/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "March 30, 2020 conference call was a meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum discussing public business is a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
    "date": "2020-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "City of Champaign v. Madigan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120662",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120662/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "April 6, 2020 conference call was a meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum discussing public business is a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
    "date": "2020-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "City of Champaign v. Madigan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120662",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120662/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "May 8, 2020 conference call not a meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Communications involving less than a majority of a quorum are not meetings subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "City council conference call gatherings without public notice",
    "date": "2020-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62981/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 248271",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Conference call as OMA meeting without notice",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A conference call involving a majority of a quorum discussing public business is a meeting subject to OMA notice and open-meeting requirements.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Unannounced conference call among board members",
    "date": "2020-02-25",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61343/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974, at 126",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp.",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Comments after adjournment as improper meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA applies to gatherings of a majority of a quorum for discussing public business; only one member made a statement after adjournment, so no meeting occurred.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A special city council meeting's agenda and member training",
    "date": "2020-02-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60547/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Advisory Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The Advisory Committee is a public body subject to OMA because it is a formal part of the City's structure with defined responsibilities and deliberative functions.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An advisory committee's closed meetings and missing records",
    "date": "2020-07-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60134/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Cooper v. Carlson, 28 Ill. App. 3d 569, 572 (2d Dist 1975)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-143565/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 44489, issued February 15, 2018",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44489/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50176, issued December 5, 2018",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "An entity is an advisory body subject to OMA if it has defined responsibilities and is a formal part of the public body's structure, considering factors like appointment, duties, autonomy, and impact.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A bilingual parent advisory committee's OMA status",
    "date": "2020-07-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48412/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Cooper v. Carlson, 28 Ill. App. 3d 569, 572 (2d Dist. 1975)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-143565/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 35973, issued August 21, 2015",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether community meeting was a City Council meeting under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not a meeting unless a majority of a quorum deliberates or discusses public business; mere attendance by members does not trigger OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A community meeting attended by a council member",
    "date": "2019-10-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58228/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Gathering at McGuire's was not a meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Private social and political gatherings of public body members do not violate OMA unless they deliberate about public business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private meetings of city council members at local establishments",
    "date": "2019-05-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-57843/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 13792, issued July 6, 2011, at 2",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Alleged absence of agenda items and private electoral work",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The absence of agenda items and private electoral collaboration does not indicate an OMA violation because political gatherings are distinct from meetings to transact public business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private meetings of city council members at local establishments",
    "date": "2019-05-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-57843/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the President's Staff Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The committee is not a public body because it lacks clearly assigned composition, service periods, oversight, and formal grounding in the University Council structure.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed meetings of a university president's staff committee",
    "date": "2019-04-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56265/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50176, issued December 5, 2018",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 35973, issued August 21, 2015",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45537, issued April 6, 2017",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45537/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Senior Leadership Roundtable is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The Roundtable is not a public body for the same reasons as the Staff Committee, as it is merely the Staff Committee by another name.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed meetings of a university president's staff committee",
    "date": "2019-04-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56265/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50176, issued December 5, 2018",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 35973, issued August 21, 2015",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 45537, issued April 6, 2017",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45537/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether e-mail exchanges constituted a meeting under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A meeting requires contemporaneous interactive communication among a majority of a quorum; e-mails sent over an hour apart are not contemporaneous.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board members' emails coordinating a public statement",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53781/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18676",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. 17172",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 14722",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-14722/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39667",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39667/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 40976",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Holding agency funding hearings in private without OMA compliance",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum held for discussing public business, including collective inquiry and exchange of facts preliminary to a decision, is a meeting subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private agency funding hearings and missing meeting agendas",
    "date": "2019-04-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37831/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004, issued July 14, 1995",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani, 552 F. Supp. 660 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Sacramento Newspaper Guild v. Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 263 Cal. App. 2d 41, 69 Cal. Rptr. 480 (Cal. Ct. App. 1968)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Council gathering with reporter was an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting only if held for the purpose of discussing public business; mere attendance without deliberative discussion does not trigger OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A council's gathering with a reporter",
    "date": "2018-07-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52300/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether breakfast event was a public meeting under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is an OMA meeting only if a majority of a quorum discusses public business; a single member's speech at a chamber event is not.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A chamber of commerce breakfast with local officials",
    "date": "2018-04-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52223/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex. rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 210 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "January 31, 2018 public forum",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not an OMA meeting unless a majority of a quorum engages in deliberative discussions of public business; mere attendance or separated comments do not suffice.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Village board members' attendance at public forums",
    "date": "2018-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51521/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "February 26, 2018 informational forum",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering is not an OMA meeting unless a majority of a quorum engages in deliberative discussions of public business; discussions with the public do not constitute deliberations among Board members.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Village board members' attendance at public forums",
    "date": "2018-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51521/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Board held an undisclosed meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting only if held for the purpose of discussing public business; the Board asserted no public business was discussed and no contradicting evidence was presented.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board retreat at a remote location",
    "date": "2018-03-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50150/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 28092, issued March 6, 2014",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Board members' e-mails constituted a meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "E-mails among Board members about filing objections to a referendum petition were private political activity, not public business, so no meeting occurred.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Email correspondence between school board members about a referendum petition",
    "date": "2018-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49878/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 16557, issued May 23, 2012",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 13792, issued July 6, 2011",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "6:30 p.m. gatherings as meetings",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Gatherings where a quorum collectively acquires and exchanges facts preliminary to a decision on public business constitute meetings subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Unannounced pre-meeting gatherings and a blocked board meeting",
    "date": "2018-02-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49828/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 171 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 202 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 660-61 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004, issued July 14, 1995",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Sacramento Newspaper Guild v. Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 263 Cal. App. 2d 41, 47-48, 69 Cal. Rptr. 480, 485 (Cal. Ct. App. 1968)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper closed meeting on November 1, 2016",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A quorum of a three-member board discussing public business triggers OMA even without a vote or final action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Private discussion of employee insurance coverage",
    "date": "2018-03-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44882/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Advisory Board is a public body subject to OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The Advisory Board is a public body because it lacks independent legal existence, performs governmental functions, and is accountable to the Designating Units of Government.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An enterprise zone advisory board's OMA compliance",
    "date": "2018-02-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44489/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Rockford Newspapers, Inc. v. Northern Illinois Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, 64 Ill. App. 3d 94, 96-97 (1978)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-151739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Hopf v. Topcorp, Inc., 256 Ill. App. 3d 887, 892 (1st Dist. 1993)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-140136/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Better Government Ass'n v. Illinois High School Ass'n, 2017 IL 121124, 89 N.E.3d 376 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20151356/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 99-021",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 05-010",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Task Force is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "An entity is a public body if it is an advisory body supported by tax revenue or expending tax revenue, applying the Stukel factors.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city task force's compliance with the Open Meetings Act",
    "date": "2018-05-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-42647/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether gathering was an OMA 'meeting'",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting only if held to discuss public business in a deliberative manner.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's campaign fundraiser gathering",
    "date": "2017-11-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49967/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 868 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004, issued July 14, 1995",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Difanis v. Barr, 83 Ill. 2d 191, 210 (1980)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-46324/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coghanese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726, issued March 22, 1974",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 16557, issued May 23, 2012",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 13792, issued July 6, 2011",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Evaluation Committee is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "An ad hoc committee that functions independently of the City Council, is not part of its formal organizational structure, and has limited advisory duties is not a public body subject to OMA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An ad-hoc committee evaluating redevelopment RFQs",
    "date": "2017-12-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49497/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Cooper v. Carlson, 28 Ill. App. 3d 569, 572 (2d Dist. 1979)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-143565/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether August 8, 2017 gathering was an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is a meeting only if held for the purpose of discussing public business; informational site visits without deliberation are not meetings.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village committee's gathering at a private residence",
    "date": "2017-10-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49436/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether joint sessions constituted an OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum is not a meeting unless held to discuss public business in a deliberative manner.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Joint sessions of a university board with affiliated foundation members",
    "date": "2017-08-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-47674/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 95-004",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. No. S-726",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Nabhani v. Coglianese, 552 F. Supp. 657, 661 (N.D. Ill. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Superintendent's Task Force is a public body under OMA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A group is not a public body if it is an internal advisory group without formal structure, deliberative functions, or accountability to a public body.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Superintendent's task force as a public body",
    "date": "2017-04-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45537/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Regents of the Regency University System v. Reynard, 292 Ill. App. 3d 968, 977-78 (4th Dist. 1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Pope v. Parkinson, 48 Ill. App. 3d 797, 800 (4th Dist. 1977)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-148558/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Hopf v. Topcorp, Inc., 256 Ill. App. 3d 887, 892 (1st Dist. 1993)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-140136/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether RTACs are public bodies subject to OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "RTACs are advisory bodies of the State because their duties and composition are set by statute, they are accountable to entities controlled by the Department, have a formal role in decision-making, and make impactful recommendations.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Regional trauma advisory committees' OMA status",
    "date": "2017-12-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37555/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Rockford Newspapers, Inc. v. Northern Illinois Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, 64 Ill. App. 3d 94, 96 (1978)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-151739/"
    },
    {
     "text": "University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers v. Stukel, 344 Ill. App. 3d 856, 865 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "E-mails on vacant Board seat",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "E-mails separated by more than an hour and more than two days are not contemporaneous interactive communication, so no meeting occurred.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board members' emails on a board seat and contract",
    "date": "2016-02-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39667/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18676",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. 17172",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "E-mails on Executive Director contract",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No Board member responded to the e-mails, so there was no contemporaneous interactive communication among Board members.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board members' emails on a board seat and contract",
    "date": "2016-02-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39667/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether meeting was subject to OMA as gathering of majority of quorum",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA applies only to gatherings of a majority of a quorum of a public body held to discuss public business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A political party precinct committeemen meeting",
    "date": "2015-06-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-35946/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "E-mail communications as OMA meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "E-mails among Board members did not constitute a meeting because no majority of a quorum contemporaneously discussed public business.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board members' emails about appointments",
    "date": "2015-06-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-24827/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Private gathering as meeting under OMA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A gathering of a majority of a quorum engaged in contemporaneous interactive communication about public business is a meeting, even if members rotate to avoid simultaneous presence.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A committee's private discussion of a redistricting map",
    "date": "2011-08-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-14722/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Esperanza Peace and Justice Center v. City of San Antonio, 316 F. Supp.2d 433, 477 (W.D. Tex., 2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "State ex rel. Cincinnati Post v. Cincinnati, 76 Ohio St. 3d 540, 544, 669 N.E.2d 903, 906-07 (1996)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "1974 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. 123",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "John H. Brechin, E-Mail and the Open Meetings Act, Illinois Bar Journal, 94 ILBJ 666, 667 (2006)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}