MORRISON – Whiteside County State’s Attorney Trish Joyce is defending a private meeting of the County Board’s Democratic majority, a session that some consider a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

The legality of that meeting is being investigated by the Illinois attorney general based on a complaint from Sauk Valley Media, which was denied access to the meeting. The attorney general will issue a ruling after reviewing the case.

On Nov. 28, 16 County Board members met behind closed doors in an unannounced meeting at a Rock Falls union hall. They said they planned to discuss the selection of the chairman and vice chairman of the 27-member County Board.