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After 45 minutes of debate, the Des Plaines City Council decided Monday not to limit the amount of time the public can speak at council meetings.

The council voted 6-2 against a proposal by Ald. Tom Becker to limit residents’ comments to five minutes each and require non-residents to wait until after council business had been completed to speak.

“Often, we’re sitting here until 11 or 12 o’clock, and this is one way to avoid going over the same issues again and again,” Becker said.

“Our goal should be good government, not fast government,” Ald. Carla Brookman said. “These meetings are the only time citizens have to speak to issues that affect them personally.”