Wow! and Double Wow! OMA/FOIA Workshop

Tonight's meeting at MCC on the topics of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act was G-R-E-A-T.

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi opened the meeting and welcomed the newly elected and appointed officials (and me, although not by name...). Then Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Rein took over and led the group through her PowerPoint presentation about the Open Meetings Act. Hand-outs included that presentation, so it was possible to follow the slides and listen without the distraction of constant note-taking.

In separate articles to follow, I'll hit on some of the points she covered. They definitely apply right here in Woodstock and, I'm sure, throughout the County (and State).

After a short break, Assistant Attorney General Amanda Lundeen led the group through the Freedom of Information Act and the changes being proposed to AG Lisa Madigan's office.

A major change being proposed in State law is what will happen after a FOIA Request is denied by a public body and after denial of an appeal at that governmental level. Rather than having to trot off to Circuit Court, a further appeal (or complaint) could be filed with the Public Access Counselor.

As I understood Mrs. Lundeen, there is now an office of a Public Access Counselor in the Attorney General's office, but this office exists at the pleasure of the sitting AG. Lisa Madigan likes this arrangement, but there is no guarantee that such an office would exist, if a new AG were elected and replaced her. Pending legislation would make such a position permanent.

I believe this is what I heard. Later I found HB0831 but read that it was tabled in March by its sponsor. There may be a similar bill, but with a different number, that is still alive in the House.

My one regret about tonight's workshop? I'm sorry there was not one representative from every Board and Commission in Woodstock there. And from such boards/commissions of every public body in McHenry County. Members of these boards and commissions need to know the rules, so that they can follow them and can avoid violating them (two different issues). Mayor Sager was there. Where was everyone else?

My thanks to Jamie and Amanda for a great program tonight and to Lou Bianchi for offering it.