{
 "topic": "OMA section 2a",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 120/2a",
 "family": "Closed meetings and exceptions",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/oma-2a/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 6,
  "no_violation": 9,
  "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 used only a general term like 'personnel' instead of citing the specific statutory exception when voting to close the meeting.",
    "why": "The OMA requires public disclosure of the specific exception; a mere reference to 'personnel' is insufficient.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session discussions and failure to review minutes",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72129/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's failure to cite a closed-session exception",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58515/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village board's closed-session discussion of personnel matters",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56288/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body failed to record the specific statutory exception in the open session minutes.",
    "why": "The OMA requires that the specific exception be recorded in the minutes; a generic reference is not enough.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village board's closed-session discussion of personnel matters",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56288/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body did not hold an open session vote before entering closed session.",
    "why": "A public body must convene an open session and publicly vote to enter closed session, even if the meeting's purpose is a closed session.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A public meeting on a legal holiday at a locked facility",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51417/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body only referenced an agenda item instead of identifying the specific exception at the time of the vote.",
    "why": "The body must adequately identify the specific section 2(c) exception at the time of the vote, not merely reference the agenda item.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's public comment restrictions and closed-session justification",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44262/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The minutes do not show the vote of each member on the motion to close the meeting.",
    "why": "The vote of each member on closing a meeting must be recorded in the minutes.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's meeting minutes and vote documentation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87758/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The public body did not list the closed session exception on the meeting agenda.",
    "why": "OMA does not require the agenda to list the specific closed session exceptions; the body only needs to cite the exception at the time of the vote.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Appointment of a park district board commissioner",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91103/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of a bidding process",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51599/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body used descriptive language that sufficiently identified the exception, like 'pending litigation,' rather than a statutory number.",
    "why": "Section 2a does not require a specific statutory citation as long as the body adequately identifies the exception.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of a volunteer's performance and FOIA strategy",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71217/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body conducted a unanimous voice vote rather than a roll call vote to enter closed session.",
    "why": "Section 2a does not require a roll call vote; a unanimous voice vote publicly discloses each member's vote.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/#issue-5"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body cited the specific exception numbers (e.g., 'section 2(c)(1)') before closing.",
    "why": "Citing the specific exception numbers is sufficient to meet the requirement.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of potential litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49476/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If the body only said 'personnel' or another general term, state that the OMA requires the specific statutory exception to be cited publicly and recorded in the minutes.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's closed-session discussions and failure to review minutes",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72129/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A board's failure to cite a closed-session exception",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58515/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village board's closed-session discussion of personnel matters",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56288/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the minutes do not include the specific exception cited for closing, point out that the open session minutes must record that exception.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "A village board's closed-session discussion of personnel matters",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56288/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If there was no open session vote before the closed session, argue that the body must convene an open session and publicly vote to close.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A public meeting on a legal holiday at a locked facility",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51417/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the body only referenced an agenda item, argue that the exception must be identified at the time of the vote, not just by reference to the agenda.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school board's public comment restrictions and closed-session justification",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44262/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the minutes do not show each member's vote on closing, point out that the vote of each member must be recorded.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A board's meeting minutes and vote documentation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87758/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether the public body stated a specific statutory exception (like a section number) or only used a general term like 'personnel'.",
   "Whether the open session minutes record the specific exception cited for closing.",
   "Whether the body held an open session and took a public vote before going into closed session.",
   "Whether the minutes show the vote of each member on the motion to close.",
   "Whether the body's citation at the vote matched the exception or was just a reference to an agenda item."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that the agenda must list the closed session exception.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Appointment of a park district board commissioner",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91103/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of a bidding process",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51599/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that a roll call vote is required to enter closed session.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/#issue-5"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that a descriptive phrase like 'pending litigation' is insufficient because it's not a statutory number.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Closed-session discussion of a volunteer's performance and FOIA strategy",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71217/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that the body must discuss every topic it anticipated in closed session.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "County board minutes of closed-session motions",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61021/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters from the Public Access Bureau; outcomes depend on specific facts, and you should verify the full text of any cited decision."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Failure to list closed session exception in agenda",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not require a public body to list the specific closed session exceptions in the meeting agenda, though it must still follow section 2a procedures for closing a meeting.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Appointment of a park district board commissioner",
    "date": "2026-06-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91103/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to record closed session vote in April 23, 2025 minutes",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "The vote of each member on closing a meeting must be recorded in the minutes; the Board acknowledged failure and agreed to approve revised minutes, resolving the issue.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's meeting minutes and vote documentation",
    "date": "2025-12-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87758/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed meeting procedure citation",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may satisfy section 2a by stating the statutory subsection of the exception or reciting language that sufficiently identifies it.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of a volunteer's performance and FOIA strategy",
    "date": "2024-01-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71217/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-007",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35861/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session procedure at May 25, 2021 meeting",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Before entering closed session, a public body must publicly disclose a citation to the specific exception in Section 2 of OMA that authorizes closing, not just a general reference like \"personnel.\"",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's closed-session discussions and failure to review minutes",
    "date": "2022-04-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-72129/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wyman v. Schweighart, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1099, 1105 (4th Dist. 2008)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/4-08-0117/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-007, issued September 16, 2015, at 4",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35861/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session minutes lacked exception citation",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "When voting to close a meeting, the public body must publicly disclose and record in the minutes the specific statutory exception authorizing the closure.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
    "date": "2022-03-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-007, issued September 16, 2015, at 4-5",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35861/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Minutes vote tally complied with section 2a",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2a does not require a roll call vote to enter closed session; a unanimous vote with each member listed satisfies the requirement to publicly disclose each member's vote.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session minutes and remote meeting notice",
    "date": "2022-03-16",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69228/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 59813, issued September 26, 2019, at 2",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session procedure and citation to exception",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The public body publicly identified the correct exception by subsection and language before closing, and corrected a typographical error in the minutes, so no violation of section 2a occurred.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of a mayor's salary",
    "date": "2022-04-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65272/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session minutes inadequate for collective bargaining discussion",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "OMA does not require a public body to discuss in closed session all topics it anticipated, and speculative allegations without supporting facts do not warrant further action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "County board minutes of closed-session motions",
    "date": "2019-12-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61021/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Voice vote procedure for entering closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2a does not require a roll call vote; a unanimous voice vote publicly discloses each member's vote and the chairman has discretion in conducting the vote.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
    "date": "2019-09-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Citation to exception for entering closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 2a does not require a specific statutory citation as long as the public body adequately identifies the exception; referencing 'pending litigation' sufficiently identified section 2(c)(11).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session vote citing pending litigation",
    "date": "2019-09-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-59813/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wyman v. Schweigharl, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1099, 1105 (4th Dist. 2008)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Inadequate citation of closed session exception",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must publicly cite the specific statutory exception authorizing a closed session; a mere reference to 'personnel' is insufficient.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A board's failure to cite a closed-session exception",
    "date": "2019-07-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58515/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-007, issued September 16, 2015",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35861/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session procedure and minutes exception citation",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must record the specific statutory exception for closing a meeting in the open session minutes; a generic reference to 'personnel' is insufficient.",
   "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": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-005",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35119/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15-007",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-35861/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Agenda did not list exception for closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may decide to go into closed session during a properly noticed open meeting without listing the closed session or its topics on the agenda, as long as it publicly cites the specific exception at the time of the vote.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of a bidding process",
    "date": "2018-03-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51599/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wyman v. Schweighart, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1099, 1107 (2008)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/4-08-0117/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Closed session without open vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must convene an open session and publicly vote to enter closed session, even if the meeting's purpose is a closed session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A public meeting on a legal holiday at a locked facility",
    "date": "2018-03-28",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51417/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Sufficiency of public citation before closed session",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Citing the specific exception numbers in the Open Meetings Act is sufficient to meet the requirement to publicly disclose the citation to the specific exception authorizing closed session.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Closed-session discussion of potential litigation",
    "date": "2018-02-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-49476/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wyman v. Schweighart, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1099, 1106 (4th Dist. 2008)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/4-08-0117/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Henry v. Anderson, 356 Ill. App. 3d 952, 955 (4th Dist. 2005)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Failure to identify closed session exception at vote",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must adequately identify the specific section 2(c) exception at the time of the vote to close, not merely reference the agenda item.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school board's public comment restrictions and closed-session justification",
    "date": "2016-12-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-44262/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Wyman v. Schweighart, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1099, 1105 (2008)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/4-08-0117/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 12658",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}