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Normal council seeks legal opinion on 45-day gag rule

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois city that restricts speakers at council meetings is seeking advice from the state attorney general.

Normal limits speakers to one appearance every 45 days. City Manager Mark Peterson tells The Pantagraph (http://bit.ly/2k46T2J ) that the council likely will follow the attorney general's opinion. The restriction might violate the Illinois public meetings law.

Mayor Chris Koos says officials didn't anticipate that some residents would have something to say at every meeting. He calls it a "prudent rule." Council member Scott Preston says email might be a more effective way to reach the mayor and council, although he doesn't see a need for the 45-day restriction.

Council member Kathleen Lorenz says the Bloomington council has a less restrictive policy and sometimes has trouble moving through the meeting agenda.

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Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com

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