Accessibility of Commission Meetings

Section 1700.10  Accessibility of Commission Meetings a)         Any person desiring an opportunity to address the Illinois Commerce Commission (Commission) on current agenda items or any other matter shall submit a written request to the Chief Clerk of the Commission at least 24 hours prior to the Commission meeting.  The request shall include the name and address of the person wishing to speak, the name of any group represented, and a summary of the presentation. b)         The Chairman shall direct the Chief Clerk to notify each person submitting a complete request to address the Commission whether the request will be granted or denied.  If the request is granted, the form and duration of the presentation shall be subject to rulings of the Chairman.  In determining whether to grant or deny a request to address the Commission, the Chairman shall consider, at a minimum, the following standards: 1)         whether the summary of the presentation is related to matters that are germane to the authority of the Commission; 2)         the order in which written requests are received by the Chief Clerk of the Commission; 3)         the desirability of permitting public airing of a representative variety of viewpoints from among all of the summaries of presentations that are received on a timely basis; and, 4)         whether the requesting person is a party to a pending proceeding before the Commission. c)         At each Commission meeting, the Commission shall set aside a period of time for public comment.  Any person desiring to address the Commission shall be allowed up to three minutes for comments or questions.  Only one person may speak on behalf of any organization. d)         Because of demands on the Commission, the total time for presentations at any meeting shall be limited to 30 minutes unless a Commissioner moves for, and the Commission approves, a longer period.  Any person wishing to address the Commission, but is unable or not allowed to do so, may submit a written statement to the Commission. e)         Any person may record by tape, film, or other means, the meetings of the Commission or its committees required to be open by Illinois law, provided that, if the recording process interferes with the overall decorum and proceeding of a meeting, the recording will be discontinued at the request of the Chairman or other presiding officer.