East Central Reporter

The City of Springfield, Illinois, has come under scrutiny for allegedly infringing on First Amendment rights related to free speech and the right to receive information. Concerns have been raised over the city council's handling of public meetings, where control over microphones and cameras is reportedly used to limit these rights.

Citing the Supreme Court's decisions in Board of Education v. Pico and Lamont v. Postmaster General, critics argue that the First Amendment encompasses not only the right to speak but also the right to hear and receive information. The council's actions are seen as a potential violation of this principle.

In recent meetings, restrictions were placed on video cameras capturing images of t-shirts worn by public commenters or papers with QR codes unless pre-approved by the council. Additionally, speakers who previously used profanity had their microphones cut off during sessions.

The city attorney sent letters to individuals who used profanity during meetings, informing them that their comments would not be livestreamed or broadcast for 30 days, along with warnings of further restrictions. These measures were implemented without a formal vote from the city council.

The attorney general’s public access counselor stated that these actions did not violate the Open Meetings Act since there is no requirement for meetings to be livestreamed or broadcast. However, questions remain about how these actions align with First Amendment rights.

Individuals affected by these actions are encouraged to seek legal advice from First Amendment attorneys.