Arlington Heights Launches Online Program Offering More Transparency

Arlington Heights is taking another leap toward complete transparency by posting village board packets - including all the background information trustees receive - online, and starting to stream meetings live.

Live streaming begins with with tonight’s meeting at 8 p.m. The village website will also have on-demand videos of all meetings.

“It’s not that we had a real problem, we just wanted to continue to provide easy, open access to our residents in whatever form we can,” said Mayor-elect Tom Hayes. “It’s just another step we’ve taken in that regard.”

Hayes feels providing the online materials is a great initiative for many reasons - including being environmentally conscious - but it will take some adjustment for the village board. Trustees need to remember to bring a laptop or iPad to get access to the packets online.

Arlington Heights also has Wi-Fi available in the boardroom for the media and public. The password is computer, according to the release.

The easiest way to access the Agenda packets and live streaming of meetings is by clicking on the banner button featured on the top right of the Home Page on the village website that reads, “Village Board Agenda E-Packets & Video,” according to a release.

Agendas and packets will be posted on the Friday before a Monday village board meeting.

The change to the new online programs means residents who signed up for “e-alerts” for agendas will no longer get those alerts, the release stated.