Throughout the pages of the Observer, readers often see references to OMA – the Open Meetings Act, and FOIA – the Freedom of Information Act, but may not be fully aware of their provisions. According to the Illinois Attorney General’s website,
“… public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business.”
– Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1.
“… all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees consistent with the terms of this Act. Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest.”
– Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1.
In 2012, a new training requirement went into effect that “each elected and appointed member of a public body subject to OMA must successfully complete the electronic training between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013.” The Attorney General’s portal, http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/Training.aspx, also allows anyone, including ordinary residents, to take the same training required of our Village officials. The training modules are simple and take about 30 minutes each to complete.
Perhaps readers are curious about which of our government officials have finished their OMA training. If so, you can visit the Village’s FOIA website http://www.barringtonhills-il.gov/foia/directory.htm and view their certificates of completion. Interesting to note is that only half (or less) of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission, Board of Health and Beautification Committee members have undergone certification. Even more surprising, and quite disappointing, is that three members of the Board of Trustees, including Village President Bob Abboud, have not yet successfully completed their OMA training.
Granted, the deadline for completing the training is January 2013. But given the muddled record of FOIA & OMA compliance in Barrington Hills, we would expect our elected and appointed officials to make educating themselves on these important issues a top priority.
If they did, maybe this would halt the practice of the Village President in using his personal email address for official governmental communications.
Maybe if the Village’s FOIA officer Robert Kosin underwent retraining, he would better understand the spirit of FOIA, and be more forthcoming in providing requested information, rather than resorting to delaying tactics.
Maybe if the Village would provide up-to-date minutes of all committee and commission meetings online, including ZBA transcripts, residents wouldn’t have to file FOIA requests to access this information and Village staff could be better utilized.
And, maybe if the village would consult with the State’s Public Access Counselor, rather than referring FOIA requests to attorney review each month before fulfilling them, Barrington Hills taxpayers would have been spared the tens of thousands of dollars in legal costs already expended.
Illinois’ FOIA and OMA laws are an essential tool for maintaining transparency in local government. Perhaps James Madison said it best,
“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” – Letter from James Madison to W. T. Barry, August 4, 1822
– The Observer
BHO, thanks for keeping us informed. The Barrington Hills Village administration has been called out for an actual violation of the Open Meetings Act. This administration instituted a policy to destroy executive session minutes and transcripts not long after they became public. We also seem to be learning through repeated violations accusations of a cover-up by the Village on certain matters. Why isn’t the Attorney General’s office of Illinois or a public media or government watch dog organization mounting a more detailed investigation of potential illegal actions by this Administration? The citizens seem to be crying out for help and the Trustees are not showing any independence. Maybe there just isn’t anything wrong and we have a wonderful government trying to do their best. Wasn’t there some situation several months ago when the Village allowed a resident to tear up another person’s access road despite the Fire Department’s objections over lack of access for emergency services. Seems like in that situation the Village’s neglect favored one resident with special interests over another put in harm’s way.
Having served on several Boards and Commissions before my appointment to the Village Plan Commission, I’ve always held open government as a top priority. I am very upset that the Village website indicates that I have not fulfilled the OMA training. THIS IS INCORRECT; I SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE OMA TRAINING MONTHS AGO. I shall contact the Village offices this morning to make this correction.
As an aside, the McHenry County States Attorney Louis Bianchi, held a public workshop several years ago at MCC. Terry Mutchler from the AG’s office was present and answered questions in great detail. The Acts and associated refererences were provided to all who attended, I find these invaluable references.
Thank you Commissioner Majewski for setting the record straight. Everything I have ever heard about you indicates that you perform your public service with the utmost integrity. You are a credit to this village!
Too bad Village Administration can’t properly maintain and update their website in a timely fashion. It makes you wonder how much other outdated or incorrect information is posted there????
Lou Anne is a treasure for this village. Honest to a fault and dedicated to her job. We need a few more like Lou Anne!
I just located my Certificate of Completion, 2012 OMA Training, dated April 4, 2012, signed by Lisa Madigan AG and Sarah Pratt Acting Public Access Counselor which I will scan and forward to the Village and the BH Observer, if you wish.
Ms. Majewski was kind enough to forward a scan of her OMA Certificate of Completion to the Observer. This certainly was not necessary, but clearly demonstrates her dedication and high ethics. Thank you.
Has anyone else noticed that within the context of the Village Executive Session minutes of July 25, 2011 and August 22, 2011 (posted under documents on the preserve barrington hills website), the following was entered into the record; ‘the issue of Pauline Boyle, her foia request and her complaint to the Illinois Attorney General was discussed by the Board…’? Discussion in executive session is limited to employee related matters and matters of litigation among other additonal subjects, all of which are not applicable in this case. I am not an employee or former employee of the village and there is no litigaton involving the village and me. I would be most interested to hear this discussion from the original audio recording which might explain why the BOT was discussing me in the first place and during CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION. As the recent widow of an American Patriot, Marine and Law Enforcement Official recently killed in Afghanistan in service to this country – I sincerely hope the residents of this village are as outraged as I am over the extent of corruption and gestapo tactics this village embraces. It’s time to stand up against these types of actions – wake up residents – you will be next.
We really need to clean house next April at village hall and I mean both elected and employed people. The attitude at that place is totally unacceptable whenever I have a question or request, and that’s not that often!