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March 28, 2024

CERWD Denies Records – Then Produces When AG Gets Involved –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On August 4, 2013

EDGAR CO. (ECWd) –

We recently submitted a FOIA request to the Clark-Edgar Rural Water District (CERWD) for 1099s on a particular individual that was receving “free” water for himself and his family…forever… – this was part of an agreement made when placing a pump station on his property.

The CERWD denied the records stating they were exempt for income tax related exemptions.

We then filed a request for review with the Illinois Attorney General’s office of the Public Access Counselor. They sent a letter of further inquiry, and one of the CERWD attorneys replied, and included the documents requested, stating that they no longer believed they were exempted records.

This is another fine example of using an attorney, just because you can, in an effort to withhold public records from the public. The CERWD could have saved a couple hundred dollars of YOUR money had they simply provided the documents when requested – but I’m sure they will add that to the line item for “FOIA costs” so it appears we are racking up costs by presenting a simple FOIA request. The fact still remains, there is really no need to have an attorney process FOIA requests.

I will have to give the CERWD credit for full compliance once they found out they were wrong, something other local public bodies still have a problem doing…

 AG’s futher inquiry letter:

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013-PAC-25089-CERWD-FOIA-rfr.pdf”]
 

CERWD production of records letter 1 and 2:

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/25089-f-pb-resp-reg-auth.pdf”] 
 
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/25089-PB-resp-to-FI.pdf”]
 

 

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5 Comments
  • Coles County Corruption
    Posted at 13:02h, 04 August

    Coles County Corruption liked this on Facebook.

  • water wagon
    Posted at 23:33h, 05 August

    what is the purpose for asking for this 1099

    • water wagon
      Posted at 13:52h, 09 August

      John You wont answer a simple question on why you needed a copy a the 1099

      • jmkraft
        Posted at 14:01h, 09 August

        We are working on another article and it could be of use.

  • Diana Jennings
    Posted at 18:47h, 08 August

    Diana Jennings liked this on Facebook.

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