Following a physical altercation at a recent board meeting, Thornton Township attorney seeks permission for remote meetings.
After a physical altercation erupted at last week's Thornton Township board meeting, the board's attorney is seeking permission from the state to conduct meetings remotely. Township attorney Michael Del Galdo penned a letter this week to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, formally requesting a waiver of the Open Meetings Act to facilitate meetings via Zoom platform.
Del Galdo emphasized the board's belief that remote meetings are crucial given the current volatile political landscape within the township. The board is presently headed by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. Del Galdo stated, 'We are deeply concerned not only for the safety of the public, but also for the reporters who attend, for elected officials, and staff themselves, that there could be a recurrence of what transpired last Tuesday. That incident, to put it mildly, was more than just a fight and it could have escalated into a genuine catastrophe. Therefore, we are appealing to the governor to permit remote meetings.' Del Galdo's request aims to uphold the safety and security of all participants involved.The attorney is proposing remote meetings until May 19th, coinciding with the swearing-in of a newly elected township board. As of now, neither Governor Pritzker nor Attorney General Raoul has responded to Del Galdo's petition. The next scheduled Thornton Township board meeting is slated for three weeks from now, leaving the format and location of the meeting uncertain
REMOTE MEETINGS OPEN MEETINGS ACT ILLINOIS THORNTON TOWNSHIP SAFETY CONCERNS
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