The agenda for the April 21 meeting of the McHenry County College Board of Trustees described its impending vote to spend $750,000 to buy land for expansion in four words: “Resolution to make offer.”

As a description of the board’s intent to spend tax dollars, it barely merits the label. But from now on, such vague summaries of intended votes may violate the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

House Bill 4687, signed into law last week by Gov. Pat Quinn, amends the act and requires local governments’ meeting agendas to set forth the “general subject matter” of any issue that will be up for a final vote. The bill’s language is weaker than first proposed, but a step in the right direction, said bill sponsor Sandra Pihos, R-Glen Ellyn.