Conduct an inquiry into closed meeting

The recent closed-door meeting of the entire Illinois Senate to brief senators on the budget problems affecting the state is the latest example of our legislative leaders thinking they are above the law and our state Constitution.

For Sens. John Cullerton and Christine Radogno to use the excuse that this was a "joint caucus meeting" for not having to abide by the Constitution is absurd. A caucus meeting is meant for members of one political party to strategize among themselves where they don't want the other party to listen. When all parties are together in the same room you cannot call it a "caucus meeting" - the "other party" who cannot hear is all of us mere citizens.

Sen. Cullerton went on to say that the reason he closed the meeting was to provide an atmosphere ". . . where they (our representatives) can feel like they can ask questions and have a free exchange of ideas without having to be worried about what the press might report." Wow, what a great excuse for meeting in private. Maybe we need to officially add a new exemption to the Open Meetings Act so every school board or city council can avoid having to say things where the press might hear them.

While I may agree with Sen. Cullerton that this particular meeting was "not a big deal" as he tries to downplay closing this meeting to the public, it was the way he closed it that is a very big deal. If Attorney General Lisa Madigan does not address the legality of this action, what is to prevent the Illinois Senate from again using the "joint caucus" excuse, and this time for a subject a lot more important to each of us, such as raising our taxes? Ms. Madigan, we are all eagerly awaiting your opinion on this.

Mark Evenson

Palatine