All governments should record meetings

Somewhat surprisingly, many governmental units, including some in Naperville, still do not videotape and post their official meetings online for public view.

There are over 7,000 units of government in Illinois. It is impossible for the press and/or public to physically attend all of the meetings for this unparalleled number of offices. Accordingly, consequential government business, such as tax levy votes, government hiring, budgeting and even those elected official's own salary and benefits, are deliberated without anyone but those board members serving as witnesses to the discussion.

In today's digital age, such practices are inexcusable and lack transparency. All government bodies should videotape the entirety of their meetings. Video of all official government meetings should be posted on the internet soon after each meeting occurs. This past year, Naperville Township, under the direction of its Supervisor Rachel Ossyra, began videotaping all of their meetings. All Naperville Township meetings are now readily available for viewing on the township website. Ossyra is to be applauded for leading this transparency initiative. All government offices, not now following a similar practice, should follow Ossyra's lead and undertake the taping of all official government meetings immediately.

Kevin M. Coyne

Naperville City Councilman