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House issues new protocols for committee hearings

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Illinois

* From Speaker Madigan’s chief of staff Jessica Basham to all House members…

The purpose of this memorandum is to communicate protocols for the conduct of committee hearings for the foreseeable future. Protocols will be subject to ongoing changes, based on public health and safety guidelines, experience and member feedback. As usual, committee chairs interested in scheduling a subject matter hearing should contact me or committee staff.

COMMITTEE GUIDELINES

Going forward, committees conducted will adhere to the following guidelines. These guidelines were developed in consultation with the Department of Public Health and comply with the recent changes made to the House Rules (HR 846).

1. Attendance at committee hearings, including members, staff, and members of the public, will be kept to the lesser of 50 people or 50% of the committee room capacity. This will limit our largest hearing rooms, 114 Capitol and C-600 Bilandic to not more than 50 attendees. Public participation may be further limited to protect the health and safety of actual or potential participants for the duration of the COVID-19 disaster proclamation.
2. Social distancing practices must be maintained at all times. Seating will be arranged to accommodate 6 feet of distancing.
3. Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose must be worn by all participants at all times (1), even while speaking to a legislative issue.
4. All participants must submit to and pass a temperature check of 100.4F degrees or lower prior to entrance into the committee room (unless such check was required for admittance to the building). Those with elevated temperatures will not be permitted to enter.
5. Witnesses who want to testify are encouraged to provide written testimony in advance, rather than appear in person. Those who wish to provide in-person, oral testimony must wear a face covering at all times; witness table settings will be sanitized after every witness.
6. Members of the public who seek to engage with the democratic process are encouraged to do so by live streaming or engaging with their legislator by means of communication that include emails, telephone, or by filing an electronic witness slip.
7. Committee hearings will be streamed on ilga.gov. Additionally, one or more remote viewing areas will be available for additional access to live streaming for members of the public. Such areas will be limited to the lesser of 50 people or 50% of the area capacity.

In addition to these guidelines, additional safeguards may be in place relative to the buildings in which hearings are conducted. The Secretary of State (“SOS”) and Central Management Services (“CMS”) may screen all those entering the State Capitol Complex, the Michael A. Bilandic Building or any other building intended for conducting state business for an elevated temperature and/or other COVID-19 related symptoms. SOS, CMS, or other staff will have a robust sanitizing practice for the Capitol Complex, Bilandic Building, or other building intended for conducting state business, with special attention paid to door handles, elevator buttons, and other frequently touched surfaces.

Participants should also follow general guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19:

1. Public transportation and ridesharing should be used only when no other means of transportation are possible. If possible, participants should drive themselves.
2. Anyone feeling ill or known to have been in recent close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should NOT travel to or participate in person at the committee hearing. They should call their doctor, a nurse hotline, any telehealth hotline set up specifically for COVID-19, or an urgent care center. If they are experiencing symptoms, they should return home and follow the guidelines provided by their physician.
3. Members of a vulnerable population should consider not traveling to or participating in person at the committee hearing.

AUDIO/VISUAL SYSTEM UPGRADES

The Office has recently contracted with a vendor for the purchase and installation of new audio/visual (A/V) equipment. Not only will this initiative upgrade old equipment in need of replacement, but it will also allow for remote participation. For now, this new system will be upgraded in 114 Capitol and C-600 Bilandic. Depending on the level of success of this initiative, it may be expanded to other committee rooms in the future.

These upgrades will take place around late September/early October, with 114 Capitol upgraded first and C-600 Bilandic upgraded second. Each room will be unavailable for up to 2 weeks while the installation is in progress.

Given the concerns about remote participation by members expressed during the May session held at the BoS Center, it is not currently contemplated that members would be able to formally participate remotely (i.e., be added to the roll or take votes). Instead, this will facilitate remote participation by witnesses and members in an unofficial capacity. Should the House alter its position on members’ remote participation, this system will be in place to facilitate that.

(1) To the extent medically able and except as reasonably necessary for eating and drinking.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 11:36 am

Comments

This is good to see… in writing… updated items and technology with protocols in the discussion of updates too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 1:13 pm
Thankful for these updated rules. Why couldn’t this be announced at the Special Session over Memorial Day Weekend?

Comment by VoterAtLarge Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:46 am