Edgar County Watchdog Kirk Allen was denied the opportunity to speak to the McHenry County Board by Chairman Jack Franks, who adjourned the meeting after a quorum roll call came up short.

Jack Franks asks who has the camera before the roll call.

Kirk nevertheless spoke to audience  members, most of whom stayed, about items he said the 911 Commission was doing illegally.

Kirk then wrote two articles about his experience near the Wisconsin border:

1. “Illinois Leaks Visits the McHenry County Board“
2. “Illinois Leaks Calls Out County Administrator Peter Austin and Illegalities in McHenry County 911 Commission“

Following up, Kirk filed a Freedom of Information request with McHenry  County Clerk Mary McClellan, which you can read below:

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act of Illinois, I am requesting the following public records.

1.      A copy of all current Intergovernmental Agreements McHenry County has with any Emergency agency to include Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Emergency Management agencies.
2.      Copy of all legal invoices paid by the Emergency Telephone System Board in the last 5 years.
3.      Copy of the statute authorizing the ETSB to utilize a credit card.
4.      A copy of all agreements between the County ETSB and the County, intergovernmental or contractual agreements included.
5.      A copy of all Grant Applications received by the ETSB that are reported as being provided in the most recent ISP financial reporting.  Total Grants given was $150,000.00.  I am seeking the Grant Application and all associated paperwork approving those grants to include minutes, agendas, and any other related documents.
6.      A copy of the most recent IT Contract for ETSB
7.      A copy of the bid notification and bids received for IT services to ETSB
8.      A copy of the bid notification and bids received for the EMD/EFD/EPD Hardware/Software expenditure of $41,406.00

If you are not the FOIA officer responsible for any part of this request you are required by law to forward it to the appropriate FOIA officer.

I request expedited processing on the basis of an urgency to inform the citizens and taxpayers of Illinois about their government’s activities.  If any element of this request is denied in whole or in part, I ask that you justify all withholdings individually by reference to specific exemptions of the Act. Please provide all responsive information to me electronically.

I request a rolling production of records, such that the public body furnishes records to my attention as soon as they are identified, preferably electronically, but as needed then to my attention, at the below address.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

The purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information regarding the legal rights of the general public and is not for the principal purpose of personal or commercial benefit.

As outlined in FOIA, documents shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge, as determined by the public body, if the person requesting the documents states the specific purpose for the request and indicates that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. Waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest if the principal purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information regarding the health, safety and welfare or the legal rights of the general public and is not for the principal purpose of personal or commercial benefit.

I am requesting the records be provided in electronic format if that is the method in which they are stored.  If they are in paper form and the copier can convert them to electronic format I would appreciate receiving them electronically.
Thanks,

Kirk Allen
PO Box 593
Kansas, IL 61933
217-508-0564

The only request to which McClellan’s office replied to was the second:

“I have attached four (4) copies of invoices paid for by the ETSB in the last five (5) years.”

Considering the following sentence, might there be an appeal to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office:

“If you are not the FOIA officer responsible for any part of this request you are required by law to forward it to the appropriate FOIA officer.”