COD’s Breuder still looking for the boogeyman!

DuPage Co. (ECWd) –

All this whining and complaining about Freedom of Information requests by College of Dupage’s President Breuder would make you think his diaper is a month overdue in getting changed.  He is all wet!

In recent meetings we have been told that Breuder made mention of us specifically in his complaining about FOIA requests and he wants the legislature to do something to stop us.

I wonder why no mention of the Chicago Tribune in his moaning and groaning?  Especially since today’s FOIA documents reflect that he and Board Chairman Erin Birt are having their own little private discussion on the matter.  A discussion that makes claim that Board Member Kathy Hamilton has “leaked” internal communications to keep the Board informed after they received a FOIA from the  Chicago Tribune.

Sadly for Breuder, the information requested by the Chicago Tribune trails our work by approximately a month and our request for information in no way shape or form was tied to any board member “leaking” information.

(Click here for my FOIA request dated September 27th, 2014)

Chicago Tribune FOIA following ours asking for basically the same thing a month after we asked for it, and Breuder wants to imply this request is from leaked information by Hamilton?  (Click here for copy of Chicago Tribune FOIA)

Breuder not only accuses Hamilton for another leak, even though there is no evidence to support that claim, but also claims it’s hard to do business under those circumstances. Are we seeing a case of paranoia?

How can the board do business when they are not included in these private discussions Mr. Breuder?

Here is how things work at COD when FOIA requests come in.

1. Chicago Tribune submits FOIA request
2. FOIA officer forwards to Monica Miller and Joseph Moore
3. Breuder e-mails Erin Birt claiming another “leak” by Hamilton and whines about being able to do business.
4. Erin Birt responds – I understand

(Click here for e-mail exchange outlined in 1-4 above)

What evidence does he have that the Chicago Tribune FOIA request had anything to do with Trustee Hamilton?  Even if there was a connection, which we have not been able to establish, who cares?  Public Officials should be open and transparent about All public business!  It is clear by Chairman Birt’s “understanding” that both her and Breuder are out of control and have lost touch with what their obligations are under the law!  Note that this communication was not shared with All the board members!  How convenient!

It is clear that Breuder is fighting transparency at every turn, from whining about it to the Representatives and Senators, to fabricating false claims of money spent on responding all while failing to recognize a very important fact!

The General Assembly recognizes that this act (FOIA) imposes fiscal obligations on public bodies to provide adequate staff and equipment to comply with its requirements.  The General Assembly declares that providing records in compliance with the requirements of this Act is a primary duty of public bodies to the people of this State, and this Act should be construed to this end, fiscal obligations not withstanding.

It is time for the people of the COD’s District to replace several board members and for the Attorney General to act on the Quo Warranto and remove Brueder from his improperly held position!