SB1619 Summary

• Amends the Open Meetings Act to allow public bodies to conduct open or closed meetings by audio or video conference without a physical quorum during declared public health disasters.

• Requires a Governor or Illinois Department of Public Health disaster declaration related to public health concerns covering the public body's jurisdiction before remote-only meetings are permitted.

• Mandates at least one member of the public body be physically present at the regular meeting location (or a greater number if required by body rules), unless infeasible due to the disaster, and requires the chief legal counsel or chief administrative officer to also be physically present when possible.

• Establishes requirements including 48-hour notice (except in bona fide emergencies), roll call voting, verbatim audio/video recording, and public access to meetings through telephone or web-based links when the regular meeting location is not feasible.

• Requires public bodies to provide a dedicated meeting space for those without internet access, ensure non-audio-only remote participation options are available, verify all cameras function properly, and maintain written records of participants and their participation method.