Story posted Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Officials To Discuss Freedom Of Information, Open Meeting Changes
Niles village officials will learn all about the new Illinois Freedom of Information (FOIA) and Illinois Open Meetings laws (IOMA) that went into effect last month at a public meeting on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m.
The meeting in village hall, open to the public, will also discuss at what point in a village board meeting the public should be allowed to speak.
Currently, public comment comes at the end of village board meetings. Some residents have been vocal about the need to change the timing to make it earlier in the meeting so their opinions might be heard.
Niles Village Attorney Joe Annunzio and Everette Hill, village attorney for Mt. Prospect and Park Ridge, will conduct the training.
Annunzio said he attempted to bring in representatives from the Illinois Attorney General's Office to conduct the training but was not able to schedule them.
"The biggest change is the relationship to the Attorney General's (AG) office," said Annunzio.
Previously, if a citizen, organization or media outlet made a request under FOIA and was denied the only option was to go to court. Now the AG can adjudicate and fine a public body like a village board for refusing to release documents found to be public under the law.
Annunzio said he would advise village officials and employees to be cautious using email saying they might be subject to a FOIA request.
Village trustees and commissioners also need to be careful not to hold conversations over email copying other trustees or commissioners saying it could be construed as an online meeting violating public notice requirements.
Annunzio said he is interpreting the new statutes in the most conservative way.
Commercial entities, with the exception of media outlets, have some FOIA tightened restrictions.
"There are no more 'any and all' requests" to fish for business under the new law, said Annunzio.
Cathy Thake is the designated FOIA and IOMA officer for the village.
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