PARIS, IL. (ECWd) –
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has finally determined that the Edgar County ETSB (911), and Nannette Crippes, had violated the Illinois Freedom Of Information Act by improperly denying a FOIA request I sent on February 12, 2012 – yes…over 20 months ago, but hey, at least they are finally finishing these up…
My FOIA request consisted of video and audio of a traffic stop that Dee Burgin made in Vermillion (in Edgar County), Illinois during December of 2011. I wanted to verify a tip we received about that traffic stop – which turned out to be not exactly what was reported to us. After receiving the video, I believe Mr. Burgin did nothing wrong during that particular stop.
Anyway, instead of providing the requested public records, Nannette Crippes gave the records to the Sheriff Department – who had earlier denied the request sent to them and told me the ETSB had the video and that I needed to request it from them [ETSB]. I ultimately received the records from the Sheriff Department.
To make a long story short, Nannette Crippes answered the AG’s letter (below) and I had a chance to reply to her letter (below). This was completed in April of 2012. The AG then sat on it for an additional 18 months before making a determination – which happened to be in my favor. You can read the documents below:
Crippes and Kraft Reponses to the AG investigation
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ETSB-Kraft-Response-2011-PAC-18624-ETS.pdf”]
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ETSB-Violates-FOIA-2013-PAC-18624.pdf”]
3 Comments
Robert O. Bogue
Posted at 07:34h, 27 OctoberIt’s truly a sad state of affairs when it takes the Attorney General’s office 20 months to investigate and respond to a FOIA or OMA complaint.
That delay, sends the wrong message to everyone in government, implying it is OK to continue with business as usual rather than learn and correct it’s practices in a timely fashion. That is, if these practices are truly innocent.
From first hand experience, I don’t believe this is always the case. It seems the banter and debate in some of our local situations has been used as a defense tactic by offenders in hopes it will deter the complainant from accessing the damning truth. Yes, there are those among us that would rather bend the truth, hide the truth and twist the laws to their favor rather than follow them. They have learned they can benefit from our complacency and blind trust. The Edgar County Airport situation(s) is a good example…..
The laws regarding Freedom Of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act are readily available for public review and they are rather straight forward. Anyone can access them, and they’re relatively easily to read. You can Google them anytime; but it does require the slightest amount of effort. It’s worth doing for your country. Filing a complaint with the AG is just as easy.
And it’s all pretty simple. Public notices announce meetings, issues and votes that are to be taken; are required; and allow the public to attend and provide input. FOIA laws let us see what’s been happening in our government and to hold our officials accountable.
America is one of the few countries where this is still allowed to happen. Our government officials need to know we’re interested, we’re watching, and we will hold them accountable.
Chad Tripp Nichols
Posted at 04:02h, 25 OctoberChad Tripp Nichols liked this on Facebook.
Angela Mason
Posted at 20:02h, 24 OctoberAngela Mason liked this on Facebook.