Mayor Miller’s Rule Change Stifles Freeport’s Council Floor

Why the Two-Question Cap Fails

Robert’s Rules already guard against filibusters by limiting how often a member may speak on the same question. Freeport’s long-standing four-minute floor per alderperson was sufficient to balance efficiency with accountability. Layering a hard question cap stifles follow-ups, blocks clarifications, and turns complex policy into shallow exchanges. It has also slowed progress by inflaming tensions and prolonging disputes that clearer questioning would resolve.

The Fix: Restore the Four-Minute Floor (No Question Cap)

Repeal the two-question limit and reaffirm the four-minute floor. Let the clock, not an arbitrary question count, manage debate. That approach is efficient, transparent, and productive.

How the Restored Rule Would Work, Step by Step

1) Item is presented.

• The agenda item is introduced.

• City staff’s role: present facts, background, and recommendations succinctly. This is the only time staff hold the floor unless recognized to answer a question.

2) The Chair recognizes an alderperson.

• The Mayor, as presiding officer, grants the floor to an alderperson.

3) Four minutes start.

• The member has up to four minutes to:

  • Make statements for the record.

  • Ask any number of questions within the time.

  • Direct questions to the Mayor and/or relevant staff.

4) Answers are given—time remains the member’s.

• Staff (or the Mayor) may respond to questions.

• The floor still belongs to the alderperson; responses are part of the member’s four-minute segment.

5) If answers are evasive, the member may reclaim time.

• If the member believes they’re getting non-answers or “lip service,” they can state:

  • “Reclaiming my time—please answer directly: [specific question].”

• The Chair’s role is to enforce direct, on-point responses and preserve order.

6) The member may yield—but only by choice.

• The alderperson can yield time to another member or to staff for a specific answer, or keep it to complete their line of inquiry.

7) Next member recognized; cycle continues.

• The Chair recognizes the next alderperson.

• Each member gets up to four minutes, ensuring broad participation without repetition.

8) Second rounds (if needed).

• After all who wish to speak have had a turn, members may be recognized for another four minutes if debate continues and time permits.

9) Motions, amendments, and votes.

• Debate naturally leads to motions/amendments.

• The Chair calls the question when debate is exhausted.

Guardrails that Keep Meetings Efficient

• Staff present; Council deliberates. Staff should not commandeer the floor beyond presentations and targeted answers.

• Chair preserves order. Enforce relevancy, prevent cross-talk, and keep answers responsive.

• The clock—not a question quota—manages time. Members can ask one detailed question with follow-ups, or several shorter ones; either way, the four minutes keeps things moving.

Benefits of the Four-Minute Floor Model

• Efficiency: One timer per member is cleaner than counting questions.

• Accountability: Follow-ups force clarity on contracts, spending, and legal risks.

• Fairness: Every alderperson gets equal, predictable time.

• Progress: Better questions mean fewer misunderstandings and faster consensus.

• Public trust: Residents see genuine deliberation—not a scripted performance.