Allowing people a voice in their government is the issue pressed in Vermilion County. Citizens are objecting after the County Board decided Tuesday evening to limit comments from the public at meetings to three minutes each, instead of five.

The new rule will find the public comment section of meetings limited to 30 minutes.

The Board's legal advisor said it just controls the time. Bill Donahue said the average person can get their point across in 3 minutes. A total of 30 minutes for public comment is adequate and more people can be heard with the 3-minute limit.

Donahue said the public can also submit comments or questions in writing by email, in-person, or by dropping it off at the county board office.

Vincent Koers of Danville resident Vince Koers said 'It's a sense of frustration because there is no other way to talk to the board ...other than the time that you give them. So cutting it down to 3 or even 1 minute you're destroying the purpose of the way government is supposed to work in Vermilion County.''

Despite objections the rule change was approved with 15 – 5. Five members were absent.

94.1 WGFA