OMA section 1.05(b)
OMA5 ILCS 120/1.05(b). Section 1.05 overview: Every public body must designate people to complete OMA compliance training (an online course run by the Public Access Counselor's office) and keep that training current.
5 issues across 5 determination letters:3 violation found · 1 no violation · 1 no determination / resolved.
Counts are per issue, not per letter, and come from automated extraction checked against sampled letters. Determination letters are not binding precedent.
How to challenge a denial on this issue
AI-generated summary of the decisions listed on this page, with each point linked to the letters it comes from. Determination letters are not binding precedent and this is not legal advice. Open the letter and check the PDF before relying on any point.
When a challenge is strong
- You can show a member assumed office and completed OMA training more than 90 days later. The Bureau found that completing training after the 90-day deadline violates the OMA.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's … · 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m… · 2017 · A gathering of three aldermen abo…
- The public body argues that late training does not invalidate an action. That argument did not stop the Bureau from finding a violation when the 90-day deadline was missed.Based on: 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m… · 2017 · A gathering of three aldermen abo…
- The public body argues there is no penalty for late training. The Bureau still found that late completion violated the OMA; the absence of a penalty does not erase the violation.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's …
When the public body usually wins
- The member previously completed OMA training. The Bureau said a member who already completed OMA training is not required to retrain.Based on: 2017 · Final action on unagendaed items …
Points to put in your letter
- List the date each member assumed office and the date each member completed OMA electronic training; if more than 90 days passed, ask for a violation finding.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's … · 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m… · 2017 · A gathering of three aldermen abo…
- Do not ask to invalidate the public body's action; instead ask for a written finding that the training deadline was missed.Based on: 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m… · 2017 · A gathering of three aldermen abo… · 2017 · Final action on unagendaed items …
- If the member completed OMA training before taking office, say so and provide proof; retraining is not required.Based on: 2017 · Final action on unagendaed items …
- State that you are not seeking a penalty for late training; the OMA provides none.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's … · 2017 · A school board’s failure to post …
Common mistakes
- Assuming late OMA training invalidates the public body's action.Based on: 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m… · 2017 · A gathering of three aldermen abo… · 2017 · Final action on unagendaed items …
- Assuming a penalty is available for late training.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's … · 2017 · A school board’s failure to post …
- Ignoring prior OMA training and claiming retraining was required.Based on: 2017 · Final action on unagendaed items …
- Assuming that because an action is not invalidated and no penalty exists, late training was not a violation.Based on: 2020 · A special city council meeting's … · 2018 · A council's meeting notices and m…
Facts to gather first
- The date each member took office or was appointed/elected.
- The date each member completed OMA electronic training.
- Whether each member completed OMA training before taking office.
- The specific action or decision you want reviewed, if any, and its date.
These are non-binding determination letters and the outcomes turn on specific dates, records, and the exact PDF text, so verify each decision before relying on it.
Drafting brief for an AI assistant
Copy this into your assistant to help draft a request, appeal, or challenge to a denial that turns on this issue. It carries the rules and decisions, not your facts: add those yourself. Machine-readable version: oma-1-05-b.json.
Violation found (3)
OMA training compliance
Rule: Members must complete OMA training within 90 days of taking office; late completion violates OMA, but no penalty is provided.
Violation found A special city council meeting's agenda and member training · February 21, 2020
OMA electronic training completion
Rule: Members of a public body must complete OMA electronic training within 90 days of assuming office; failure to do so is a violation, but does not invalidate actions taken.
Violation found A council's meeting notices and member OMA training · December 19, 2018
Aldermen failed to complete OMA training within 90 days
Rule: Elected or appointed members of a public body must complete OMA training within 90 days of taking office; failure does not invalidate actions.
Violation found A gathering of three aldermen about city business · July 5, 2017
No violation (1)
OMA training requirement for trustee
Rule: A member who previously completed OMA training is not required to retrain, and any training violation would not invalidate Board action.
No violation Final action on unagendaed items and OMA training · February 10, 2017
No determination / resolved (1)
OMA training completed within 90 days
Rule: Five members completed OMA training late, but OMA provides no penalty for failure to complete training within the statutory timeframe.
No determination / resolved A school board’s failure to post a meeting agenda · September 20, 2017