Ages ago, 'way back on September 11, I faxed a FOIA request to the Illinois State Police. Such requests used to go to a woman at the ISP, but now the Legal Office has taken over.
(I have some experience with legal offices. Too often when they get involved, you might as well set some extras clocks to running.)
When a FOIA Request is filed, an organization has seven (7) business days to respond. So, along about September 22, they should have a reply out the door to me. Adding a couple of days for the Pony Express to make the run up I-55, I should have had it no later than September 24. Adding a few more days for flooded rivers, tired horses and no coins for the tolls on the Tollway, should I have had a reply by October 1?
I already knew the rules of the game, before I called the Trooper who must have missed an important meeting and got stuck with phone duty to explain why replies were not going out. While an organization, such as the Illinois State Police, is supposed to send a letter acknowledging that they are missing the 7-day window and need 7 more days, he told me what I already knew. Failure to reply can be deemed a denial and, if I want to appeal, I should appeal to the Director of the State Police.
What was so important that a FOIA Request was sent to the Illinois State Police? Remember Amy Dalby?
In the transcript of her sentencing hearing were some important words, "Defendant gave an off-duty Sheriff's Deputy, who was working on behalf of the political campaign, the flash drive that contained all the data that was removed from the McHenry State's Attorney's Office."
Whoa! Wait a minute! A sheriff's deputy had possession of a flash drive containing stolen data?
Okay, so who is this deputy?
But there is more - "... at least two off-duty sheriff deputies working on behalf of the campaign play the role at various times in transferring this computer data to others for campaign related purposes."
So now there are two? Or, are there three deputies who came in contact with the stolen data? And didn't confiscate it? Or turn it in?
What I'm waiting for from the State Police are documents identifying these two or three deputies.
The Illinois State Police investigator must know the names. Does Sheriff Nygren know the names by now? Where are the charges? Will there be criminal charges? Departmental administrative charges?
Of course, we must remember how slowly justice can move in McHenry County. The sentencing hearing was June 1. This is October 5. Just a few ticks on the ol' clock.
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