Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1974 Version B
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1973] UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LITIGATION RELATED TO OPEN MEETING LAW AND FACULTY SENATE MEETINGS. CHICAGO CIRCLE 263 (37) The University, Chancellor Warren Cheston, Professors James P. Hartnett and Richard M. Johnson (who are members of the Chicago Circle Faculty Senate), and the University of Illinois Chicago Circle Faculty Senate have been named as defendants in a suit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County (No. 73 L 5679) by two individuals who are staff writers for the Chicago Illini and who allege they are tuition-paying students in good standing at the University and citizens and taxpayers of the State. An additional plaintiff is the corporation which publishes the Chicago Illini. Count I of the Complaint is based upon actions alleged to have been taken to exclude the plaintiffs from a portion of a meeting of the Chicago Circle Faculty Senate on April S, 1973, and seeks a writ of mandamus compelling the defendants to permit the general public to attend all future meetings of Chicago Circle Faculty Senate. Count I further seeks a declaratory judgment finding that all actions taken at the April S meeting to be null and void. Count II seeks an injunction prohibiting the defendants from excluding the plaintiffs and the public from meetings of the Chicago Circle Faculty Senate. Counts I and II state that the Illinois Open Meeting Law entitles the plaintiffs to the relief sought. Count III seeks money damages and alleges that the actions of Professors Hartnett and Johnson in escorting the plaintiffs from the meeting in question constituted the tort of assault and battery. Chancellor Cheston and Professors Hartnett and Johnson have stated that all actions by them in the matter were taken in performance of their University duties and have requested the University to provide representation for them in the litigation. The University Counsel states that in his view the Complaint is not wellfounded and recommends that he be authorized to take such steps as are necessary or appropriate, including the employment of special counsel, to protect the interests of the University in the matter and to provide representation as requested. I concur. On motion of Mr. Swain, this recommendation was approved. On motion of Mr. Swain, the Board adjourned. EARL W. PORTER EARL M. HUGHES Secretary President
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