Collins, Hoffman Estates trustees spar of virtual attendance of meetings

Hoffman Estates village board members on Monday increased the number of times they can virtually attend a meeting by telephone or instant message, doubling the number from two to four times a year.

The measure, which permits members to attend meetings electronically if sick, traveling or dealing with a family emergency, passed by a 4-3 vote, with trustees Cary Collins, Raymond Kincaid and Karen Mills opposing the increase.

Collins was particularly vehement in his opposition, and sparred with Trustee Gary Pilafas over the measure. Pilafas frequently travels for work and seemingly would benefit most from the increase.

Collins said he was against "telephone trustees" who never bothered to physically attend meetings at village hall.

"I don't know why it's on my agenda, I didn't ask it to be put on my agenda," he said. "I am opposed to it, but you can explain, Mayor McLeod, I will listen to what you have to say."

Mayor William McLeod called for the increase saying "it's the way of the modern world."

"You're limiting the ability of people to serve, and you're also depriving people of their right to have their representative vote on matters that come before the village board," he said.

McLeod said he's long supported so-called "electronic attendance." The remodeling of village hall last year included new speaker and telephone equipment which could be utilized for that purpose.

Pilafas said he's attended meetings by phone twice since October 2009, when he voted via speakerphone while at work in Japan. He said he did not request the increase and that it was McLeod's idea.

Collins did not stick around for the full village board meeting, saying he did not trust his fellow board members.

The village ordinance allows virtual attendance under specific conditions, including illness or disability, travel for work or village business and family emergencies. Only one board member may attend via electronic attendance per meeting. The board member would have to inform the village clerk before the meeting.

Mills said with the meetings now broadcast on public-access cable television, there was more need for trustees to physically attend meetings.

"I have strong feelings this is not the best way to conduct the meeting through the phone," she said. "I know there have been good reasons why some people have had to do it."

Local municipalities can make their own guidelines for electronic attendance as long as they abide by the state's Open Meetings Act.

Board members cannot virtually attend sessions closed to the public.