ARCOLA, IL. (ECWd) –
Arcola Township is now facing its 4th lawsuit for alleged violations of the Illinois Freedom Of Information Act.
UPDATE: Summons was served on June 3, 2014.
Douglas County case number: 2014-MR-20.
That’s right – the FOURTH lawsuit in the past 8 months.
William Coombe, the Arcola Township Clerk, and the entire Arcola Township Board of Trustees must be pretty proud of themselves for letting their attorney, Mark Petty continue making money off the backs of the township taxpayers.
Something as simple as copying a few pieces of paper and sticking them in the mail is way too difficult for them to be bothered with.
So now we have lawsuit number 4. Number 5 will follow shortly if the Township does not pull their head out and comply with the law.
This is a classic example of the need for FOIA reform that forces public officials to be held personally liable when they lose FOIA suits. That is the only way to stop the bleeding of public funds simply because an individual doesn’t feel the need to follow the law.
Here are the steps to comply with the law:
1. Receive request for public records.
2. Copy request – put in a file, collect records.
3. Send responsive documents to person requesting records.
4. Done.
Simple, isn’t it?
Copy of the lawsuit is below:
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/May-4-2014-Denial-Suit.pdf” save=”1″]
