Mokena 159 Changes Public Comment Rules

People wanting to speak at board meetings will have more chances.

During , the board voted 4-2 in favor of policy changes that will affect how the public speaks at meetings.

Under the new rule, the board will ask the audience if they have any comments on each and every action item that comes before the board. Currently, residents wishing to speak during the meetings have to sign up before the meeting starts.

Board President John Troy said he does not expect this to slow down meetings, as only a few of the votes will draw any comment.

"Ninety percent of them, it won't matter. The 10 percent it does matter, people will appreciate it," Troy said.

Board member Kathy Moore voted against the change.

"I think that when we're talking about personnel issues, maybe that's something we don't want people commenting on," Moore said.

However, Troy said he would not want to start distinguishing between which topics

"I think it's a slippery slope, Troy said.

The final vote was 4-2, with board members Troy, Mike Ford, Pat Markham and Joseph Spalla voting for the policy change. Moore and Scott Peters voted against. .