In “Sparland Officials Resign Amid Investigations, Controversy” we learned that most of the officials of the Village of Sparland resigned in December and that it had to do with investigations into possible Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act violations.
But we were missing something.
[Resident Margaret] Murry asked for records that included meeting minutes, copies of some ordinances and amendments, certain financial records and the oaths of office taken by elected officials.
State law requires a response to FOIA requests within five working days. Murry asked the AG’s Office to review the matter after two weeks had passed.
“The public body has failed to respond to my request,” she wrote.
The investigation comes at a time when the village has no one filling the legally required position of FOIA officer. [Village Clerk Susan] Persinger resigned from that appointed post the day Murry submitted her request, Mayor Linda Medearis said at a Dec. 1 Village Board meeting.
Murry, who has experience in LaSalle County government, has been appointed village clerk.
[HT Boone County Watchdog for pointing me to additional stories.]