The following article is from Illinois Leaks’ author Kirk Allen and is published with permission:
Algonquin Township Clerk to ring in new year with ongoing FOIA violations.
BY KIRK ALLEN ON DECEMBER 30, 2017 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )
McHenry Co. (ECWd)
All indications are Karen Lukasik is going to start the new year of 2018 with numerous outstanding Freedom of Information Act requests. We will draft our FOIA lawsuit to force compliance.
FOIA Date -11/13/2017
- A record of who received the 3 phone gift cards purchased at Jewel/Osco on 08/02/16 with a Platinum American Express card in the name of Robert J Miller.
- A record of who received the 2 phone gift cards purchased at Jewel/Osco on 06/02/16 with a Platinum American Express card in the name of Robert J Miller.
- A record of who received the 5 gift cards of $250 each purchased 5/16/08 from Barn Nursery & Landscape Center – Purchased with a VISA card account number 4246 3112 9554 8835
Still no response!
FOIA Date – 11/13/2017
A copy of the Open Meetings Act Training Certificates for all Alonguin Township elected officials
Response 11/27/2013
“I am in contact with the Attorney General’s office to obtain duplicates of the certificates of the current elected officials.”
That was over a month ago and we still don’t have the requested records.
FOIA Date 11/13/2017
- Copy of all credit card, purchase card, and debit card statements since January 1, 2011, for all cards used by any elected official of the Algonquin Township. This would include ALL pages of those statements
- Copy of all credit card reward point redemptions since January 1, 2011. This would be for any credit card used by any elected official of the Algonquin Township.
- A copy of the last two Salary Setting and/or Compensation Setting resolutions for all elected officials of Algonquin Township.
- A copy of all Serious XM subscription records since January 1, 2011.
Still no response.
Karen Lukasik
Realizing it can be overwhelming at times to learn a new job and multiple FOIA requests can become a lot to deal with, Ms. Lukasik turned to the attorneys to handle the FOIA requests.
How are they doing?
Considering two of their communications with us were to seek more time on an FOIA that had already passed the deadline, it does not appear that the lawyers are doing much better.
In fact, one FOIA of particular importance to the taxpayer was for the Annual Reports turned in by the former Highway Commissioner Bob Miller and a copy of the claimed audit that was performed that gave him thousands of dollars on his way out the door for the sick time. Those documents will tell the rest of the story.
Jim Kelly
What did the law firm tell me about that request, submitted December 6th, 2017?
“In accordance with 5 ILCS 140/3(e)(ii), we require an additional five (5) business days to respond to the request as the request requires the collection of a substantial number of specified records. Therefore, the requested documents will be available on December 20, 2017.”
Well here we are on December 30th, 2017 and the attorneys have yet to provide any response to this request as they had assured us they would.
I wonder how the courts will look at these multiple FOIA violations from Algonquin Township?
Our work is funded entirely thru donations and we
ask that you consider donating at the below link.
Perhaps this is what she thinks pleading the 5th is!
Why on earth would Edgar County Watchdogs want the Highway Commissioners annual reports?
Could it be they already reviewed the audit reports available on line and know The annual report for the last 24 years does not reflect Bob Miller’s claimed unpaid sick pay?
At the meeting when the board approved payment to bob – the minutes reflect Jim Kelly had completely researched the $47,000+ payment.
It appears he told the board they had to pay it.
No, no.
They don’t “have to do anything”.
More likely is that the lawyer explained the possibility of a lawsuit if they didn’t just pay it.
How does Kelly get around all the obvious conflicts of interest?
He used to represent Bob Miller, now the clerk that must disclose documents harmful to Bob.
But where is the State’s Atty.
It’s official misconduct not to do the job.
What gives?
This township is SCREWED UP!
Why is Booby Miller being protected?
Damn!
We’re living in a Hieronymus Bosch painting!
Jim Kelly: You are a vampire on the taxpayers!
Clerk Lukasik: Shame on you!