Lake County Gazette

The Waukegan City Council has amended its public comment and participation rules, specifying the duration of public comments and the time allotted for individuals to speak. The resolution adopting these rules was approved on August 5.

Alderperson Edith Newsome made the motion to approve the amended rules, which also set the process for taking comments and outlined the presiding officer's authority to enforce them, according to the post-meeting agenda for the Waukegan City Council's August 5 meeting.

According to the draft of the amended rules, public comment time allows individuals to address the council but is not intended as a forum for open dialogue. Unless a meeting is held remotely, anyone wishing to make a public comment must do so in person.

The draft states that the maximum time for public comment at any meeting is 45 minutes, with speakers limited to three minutes each. The presiding officer may extend both the overall public comment time and individual speaking times; however, a majority vote by the council can override this decision. Exceptions are made for persons requiring an interpreter or translator or those requesting reasonable accommodation due to a disability. A speaker representing a group or association will not be allocated additional time, and speakers may not yield their time to another speaker.

Speakers must sign up on a form in the meeting room before the start of public comment time. Members of the public may also provide written comments by dropping them off at the City Clerk's Office or emailing them to CityClerk@waukeganil.gov.