{
 "topic": "OMA section 2(e) - Final action ban in closed session",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 120/2(e)",
 "family": "Closed meetings and exceptions",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/oma-2-e/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 14,
  "no_violation": 17,
  "no_determination": 1,
  "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": "The public body reached a consensus and implemented a decision through serial one-on-one communications (calls, emails) outside an open meeting, even if later ratified.",
    "why": "This constitutes final action in violation of OMA.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's letter signed by a majority of members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90482/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Hiring of a General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77643/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Phone polls to vote on township business",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74113/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Email votes on public business",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55553/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A township board's prohibition of camping in a park",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body took final action in a closed session without a prior public recital and open vote (e.g., terminating an employee, changing policy, approving closed session minutes).",
    "why": "No final action may be taken at a closed meeting.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session personnel transfer of a principal",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76446/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session discussion of a book removal policy",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71523/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session termination of an employee",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49854/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Approval of closed session minutes in a closed session",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55838/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body voted on an item without first publicly reciting the nature of the matter with sufficient detail to identify the particular transaction (e.g., only referencing a closed session or using vague labels like 'non-certified staff').",
    "why": "Section 2(e) requires a public recital that identifies the nature of the matter and sufficient detail to identify the issue.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A city council's consent-agenda voting procedure",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53629/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Agenda descriptions and public recitals for final actions on resolutions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40515/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of pay raises and construction bids",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-86632/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The challenged action was a preliminary vote, straw poll, or tentative consensus that did not finally decide the matter, and a later open vote was held.",
    "why": "OMA does not bar preliminary steps; only final action is prohibited in closed session.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Informal straw polls to set a board agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70527/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village board trustee's request to attend a closed session remotely",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69969/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's emergency meeting notice and closed-session discussions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65418/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of an executive director succession plan",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54122/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school council's failure to post a meeting agenda and closed-session discussion of candidate selection",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52881/#issue-4"
     },
     {
      "title": "A university board's selection of a president",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54002/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public recital announced the nature of the matter with enough detail to identify the transaction (e.g., policy numbers, titles, or a discussion in open session), even if it did not explain terms or significance.",
    "why": "The recital need not explain terms or significance, only identify the particular transaction.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Two versions of a resolution on public comment rules",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81146/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "School board policy revision approval process",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65194/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's agenda descriptions and meeting minutes",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59235/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's public recital on a legal settlement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59095/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A library board's public recital before voting on a treasurer's report",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49174/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The action was not final action at all, such as a member expressing an opinion, an administrative decision under existing authority, or a procedural step like declining to place an item on the agenda.",
    "why": "Only final action triggers the requirement; expressions of opinion or procedural steps are not final.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Board members' emails coordinating a public statement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53781/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A separation agreement approved by a city council",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45219/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A park district board's discussion of a citizen's agenda motion",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-64798/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body later ratified the action in an open meeting with a proper recital and vote, curing any prior defect.",
    "why": "A public body may cure a violation by revisiting the matter in open session.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If the decision was reached through a series of private calls or emails, argue that this serial communication implemented a final decision outside an open meeting, even if later ratified.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's letter signed by a majority of members",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-90482/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Phone polls to vote on township business",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74113/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Email votes on public business",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55553/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the public body voted without first describing each item in enough detail for the public to know what was being decided, point out that the recital was too vague (e.g., only 'non-certified staff' or referencing a closed session).",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of pay raises and construction bids",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-86632/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's consent-agenda voting procedure",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53629/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the body took action in closed session and never held an open vote after a public recital, argue that final action in closed session is prohibited.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session personnel transfer of a principal",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76446/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session termination of an employee",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49854/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session discussion of a book removal policy",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71523/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the body claims a later open vote fixed the problem, note that a ratification does not excuse the initial violation if the decision was already implemented, and curing requires a proper new vote with full transparency.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Phone polls to vote on township business",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74113/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session personnel transfer of a principal",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76446/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Dates and descriptions of any private communications (emails, calls, texts) where a decision was reached or implemented.",
   "The exact wording of the public recital before the vote (meeting minutes, recording) to show lack of detail.",
   "Evidence that the decision was implemented before any open vote (e.g., employee terminated, contract signed).",
   "The agenda and meeting minutes showing whether a public recital occurred and what was said.",
   "Any statements by officials indicating a decision was already made before the open meeting."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any discussion or consensus among members outside a meeting is final action, when it may be a preliminary step later voted on in open session.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A university board's selection of a president",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54002/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of an executive director succession plan",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54122/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school board's emergency meeting notice and closed-session discussions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65418/#issue-5"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that a public recital must explain the terms or significance of the action, rather than just identify the transaction.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Two versions of a resolution on public comment rules",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81146/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A city council's public recital on a legal settlement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59095/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A library board's public recital before voting on a treasurer's report",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49174/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Thinking that a procedural step like setting an agenda or a straw poll is final action.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Informal straw polls to set a board agenda",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70527/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A park district board's discussion of a citizen's agenda motion",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-64798/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Failing to check whether the public body later ratified the action in a proper open meeting, which may cure the violation.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; the outcome of any challenge depends on specific facts, and you should verify the full PDF of any cited decision."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Whether signing and sending letter was improper final action",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may take final action subject to section 2(e) by reaching and implementing a decision through serial one-on-one communications outside an open meeting.",
   "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": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58555, issued August 20, 2019",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 74113, issued June 7, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74113/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 21599, issued March 19, 2013",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital for non-certified pay raise vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public recital must identify the impacted employees by job titles, not merely as 'non-certified staff,' to sufficiently inform the public of the business being conducted.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of pay raises and construction bids",
    "date": "2025-08-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-86632/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 77687, issued November 2, 2023",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 76897, issued November 2, 2023",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Board took final action in private",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No final action may be taken at a closed meeting; the Board publicly voted on the censure resolution in open session, and no evidence showed a private final decision.",
   "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": "Lawrence v. Williams, 2013 IL App (1st) 130757",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20130757/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Del Papa v. Board of Regents of University & Community College System of Nevada, 114 Nev. 388 (Nev. 1988)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital before final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public recital must announce the nature of the matter with sufficient detail to identify the transaction, but need not explain its terms or significance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Two versions of a resolution on public comment rules",
    "date": "2024-09-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81146/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Hiring decision as final action outside open meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body takes final action in violation of OMA when it reaches a consensus and implements a decision outside an open meeting.",
   "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": [
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Lawrence v. Willams, 2013 IL App (1st) 130757",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20130757/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58555, 58614, 58615, issued August 20, 2019",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Improper final action in closed session",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body takes final action in closed session when it reaches a decision and implements it before any open session vote, even if it later votes on the matter.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's closed-session personnel transfer of a principal",
    "date": "2023-09-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76446/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58555, 58614, 58615, issued August 20, 2019",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Davis v. Board of Education of Farmer City-Mansfield Community Unit School District No. 17, 63 Ill. App. 3d 495 (4th Dist. 1978)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-151634/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Grissom v. Board of Education of Buckley-Loda Community School District No. 8, 75 Ill. 2d 314 (1979)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Jewell v. Board of Education, Du Quoin Community Unit Schools, District No. 300, 19 Ill. App. 3d 1091 (1974)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken outside open meeting via phone polls",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Reaching a consensus and implementing a decision outside an open meeting constitutes final action prohibited by OMA, even if later ratified.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Phone polls to vote on township business",
    "date": "2023-06-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74113/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 176 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446, ¶ 29, 996 N.E.2d 664, 670 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltrs. 58555, 58614, 58615, issued August 20, 2019",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken in closed session without open session vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "No final action may be taken at a closed meeting; final actions such as policy changes must be taken in an open meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's closed-session discussion of a book removal policy",
    "date": "2023-03-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71523/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital of final action under section 2(e)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public recital must announce the nature of the matter under consideration with sufficient detail to identify the particular transaction or issue, but need not explain its terms or significance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's public recital before a final vote",
    "date": "2022-05-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71154/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General, 2017 IL 120343, 77 N.E.3d 625 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Allen v. Clark County Park District Board of Commissioners, 2016 IL App (4th) 150963, 67 N.E.3d 536 (2016)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20150963/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Straw poll on agenda item as final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A decision to place or not place an item on an agenda is a procedural step, not final action, and does not violate 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": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 176 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 64798, issued February 4, 2021",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-64798/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Polling or preliminary vote in closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA prohibits final action in closed session but does not bar preliminary votes or polling; the requester did not allege final action was taken.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board trustee's request to attend a closed session remotely",
    "date": "2022-03-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69969/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken in closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not take final action in closed session when it discusses a recommendation but announces support in open session and later votes on the matter at a subsequent meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's emergency meeting notice and closed-session discussions",
    "date": "2021-11-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65418/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32463",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 43111",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Bd. of Educ. of Springfield Sch. Dist. No. 186 v. Attorney Gen. of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Adequacy of public recital before policy approval vote",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body satisfies section 2(e) by reciting the nature of the matter and sufficient detail to identify the issue, such as policy numbers and titles, without disclosing specific changes or key terms.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board policy revision approval process",
    "date": "2021-01-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65194/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether Board violated section 2(e) by declining agenda item",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Declining to place an item on the agenda is a procedural step, not final action, and the discussions were not a chain among board members.",
   "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": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58555, issued August 20, 2019",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 16-011, issued December 12, 2016",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to publicly recite consent agenda items before vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 2(e) of OMA requires a public recital of each item in a consent agenda before a vote, identifying the nature of the matter and details sufficient to identify the particular issue.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's consent-agenda voting procedure",
    "date": "2021-03-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53629/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Req. Rev. 65194",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital before final action on compensation",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Final action must be preceded by a public recital of the nature of the matter being considered; the Board's open session discussion satisfied this requirement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's agenda descriptions and meeting minutes",
    "date": "2020-05-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59235/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital before final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body complies with section 2(e) if its recital announces the nature of the matter with enough detail to identify the particular transaction, without needing to explain terms or significance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A city council's public recital on a legal settlement",
    "date": "2019-08-05",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59095/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Allen v. Clark County Park Dist. Bd. of Com' rs, 2016 IL App (4th) 150963, 67 N.E. 3d 536 (4th Dist 2016)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20150963/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343, 77 N.E.3d 625 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken outside open meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must take final action in an open meeting, not through private communications or outside a meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A township board's prohibition of camping in a park",
    "date": "2019-08-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58555/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney Gen. of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Lawrence v. Williams, 2013 IL App (1st) 130757",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20130757/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken in closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No final action occurs in closed session if the public body later takes a vote in open session on the matter.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A village board's closed-session discussion of personnel matters",
    "date": "2019-05-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56288/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Approval of closed session minutes in closed session",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Final action, including approval of closed session minutes, must be taken in open session; a preliminary vote may occur in closed session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Approval of closed session minutes in a closed session",
    "date": "2019-09-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55838/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343, 77 N.E.3d 625 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Davis v. Board of Education of Farmer City—Mansfield Community Unit School District No. 17, 63 Ill. App. 3d 495 (4th Dist. 1978)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-151634/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kosoglad v. Porcelli, 132 Ill. App. 3d 1081 (1st Dist. 1985)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32463, issued July 14, 2015",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes Co., Inc., 136 S. Ct. 1807 (2016)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken by email outside open meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must take final action openly, not through private email exchanges, even if the underlying decisions are later ratified.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Email votes on public business",
    "date": "2019-10-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-55553/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Bd. of Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken in closed session under section 2(e)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A tentative consensus that is a step in the process of reaching final action, later approved in open session, does not constitute final action in closed session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of an executive director succession plan",
    "date": "2019-05-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54122/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161, 176 (1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 52804",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 43111",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38155",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the May 17, 2018 e-mail statement was final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A statement that expresses opinions, does not assert a new policy, and is not binding on the board is not final action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Board members' emails coordinating a public statement",
    "date": "2019-01-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53781/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Bd. of Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 21599",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 50318",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 54002",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether the Board took improper final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The Board's consensus to publicly voice support for Dr. Freeman's candidacy was an intermediate step in the process of reaching final action, not final action itself.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A university board's selection of a president",
    "date": "2018-10-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-54002/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Gosnell v. Hogan, 179 Ill. App. 3d 161 (5th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-128527/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 32463",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38155",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "April 10, 2018 closed session vote on adding candidate",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No final action may be taken in closed session, but a preliminary vote that is not final action is permissible.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school council's failure to post a meeting agenda and closed-session discussion of candidate selection",
    "date": "2018-07-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-52881/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Bd. of Educ. of Springfield Sch. Dist. No. 186 v. Attorney Gen. of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action taken in closed session without open vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public body improperly took final action in closed session by terminating employee without a vote in open session after public recital.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session termination of an employee",
    "date": "2017-11-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49854/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Bd. of Educ. of Springfield Sch. Dist. No. 186 v. Attorney Gen. of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343, ¶ 74, 77 N.E.3d 625, 637 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Lawrence v. Williams, 2013 IL App (1st) 130757, 988 N.E.2d 1039",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20130757/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Howe v. Retirement Board of the Firemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2013 IL App (1st) 122446, 996 N.E.2d 664",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20122446/"
    },
    {
     "text": "People ex rel. Illinois Dept. of Corrections v. Hawkins, 2011 IL 110792, ¶ 23, 952 N.E.2d 624, 631-32 (2011)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 49854",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49854/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public recital before final action",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public recital must announce the nature of the matter under consideration with sufficient detail to identify the transaction, but need not explain its terms or significance.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A library board's public recital before voting on a treasurer's report",
    "date": "2017-09-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49174/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343, ¶ 64, 77 N. E. 3d 625, 636 (2017)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Inadequate public recital before May 24, 2017 termination vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must publicly recite the nature of the matter being considered before taking final action, and merely referencing a closed session discussion is insufficient.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
    "date": "2017-06-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education of Springfield School District No. 186 v. Attorney General of Illinois, 2017 IL 120343",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Curing prior violation by subsequent proper recital and vote",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "A public body may ratify and cure an action taken with insufficient transparency by revisiting the matter in open session and holding a proper vote.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's public recital before a termination vote",
    "date": "2017-06-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48078/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Board of Education School District No. 67 v. Sikorski, 214 Ill. App. 3d 945, 952 (1st Dist. 1991)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-134167/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Lindsey v. Board of Education of City of Chicago, 127 Ill. App. 3d 413, 422 (1st Dist. 1984)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action on separation agreement outside open meeting",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not require a public body to take final action on separation agreements; the City Council did not take final action on the agreement, as administrative staff entered into it under spending authority.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A separation agreement approved by a city council",
    "date": "2017-06-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-45219/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 25456, issued August 7, 2013",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 13733, issued June 20, 2011",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "2015 PAC 34124",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 34124, issued June 5, 2015",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Insufficient public recital before final action on eight resolutions",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Before final action, a public body must publicly recite the general nature of the matter and specific detail sufficient to identify the particular transaction.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Agenda descriptions and public recitals for final actions on resolutions",
    "date": "2017-12-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40515/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Springfield School District, 2017 IL 120343, ¶ 64, 77 N.E.3d at 636",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Springfield School District, 2017 IL 120343, ¶ 83, 77 N.E.3d at 638",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2015%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20140941/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Allen v. Clark County Park District Board of Commissioners, 2016 IL App (4th) 150963, ¶ 31, 67 N.E.3d 536, 541 (2016)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2016%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20150963/"
    },
    {
     "text": "People v. Hunter, 2013 IL 114100, ¶ 13, 986 N.E.2d 1185, 1189 (2013)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Final action via e-mail",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Tentative e-mail statements by one member did not manifest final Board action, and the Board later voted in open session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "School board members' emails about appointments",
    "date": "2015-06-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-24827/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  }
 ]
}