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October 11, 2024

Arcola Twp FOIA cases and Appellate Appeals –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On March 12, 2015

ARCOLA, IL. (ECWd) –

Last week Mr. Mark Petty, attorney for the Township of Arcola, submitted a statement to the Arcola newspaper regarding FOIA cases and their appeal.

He claims that the appeal was dismissed, which is technically correct, however, he failed to mention that it was only one of the four cases and was dismissed solely because the township had filed a motion for attorney fees in the case which meant the Circuit Court decision was not yet a final appealable decision. That hearing was held on March 5, 2015, ruled and is now a final appealable decision. I was sanctioned $441.00 for improper service of subpoena.

That case, 2013_MR-53 will once again be appealed to the Appellate Court.

The article implies that all four cases were rejected, which is not the case. There are still three other cases (2014-MR-16, 17, and 20) for appeal at the Appellate Court – all related to the Freedom Of Information Act. This will once again make the fourth case.

 

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5 Comments
  • Chris M. Gaines
    Posted at 00:29h, 13 March Reply

    Keep pushing back, and as you know…you most likely will prevail in this case, obviously. Thank you!

  • Courthouse News
    Posted at 07:37h, 13 March Reply

    Why is the Record-Herald so willing to print what ever the Township wants without a single question asked of the opposing side?If John Kraft had not posted the article above,Petty would have us belive the Township had won again.Here’s a thought,Chris why don’t you interview John Kraft?Would’nt that be the fair thing to do?

  • Peggy Bailey
    Posted at 11:29h, 13 March Reply

    Thank you for the work you are doing. Every community could use more people like you to expose the corruption of these taxing bodies. We certainly could use help in our community. A minority vote does not stand a chance of bringing out issues when those in charge censor discussions and motions. Add on top of that damaging unfounded accusations made by a majority council member in the newspaper about a council member who is running for re-election and things start to add up. The only meeting prior to election day where the member can vindicate himself in open meeting and the newspaper could possibly retract the charges is now changed to a committee meeting and no open discussion will be allowed. If this happens in a small community what on earth has occurred at the state level. Keep up the good work.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 18:06h, 13 March Reply

      Is this in Illinois? Public comment is a statutory RIGHT at all public meetings of public bodies in Illinois – regular, special, emergency, committee meetings, public hearings, etc… ALL of them…

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 07:41h, 14 March Reply

    Peggy you should have been here in Arcola for our last election,it was run from the Township Office.Township Seceretary attended both cacus(she does not even live in the township),she made phone calls from the office asking for votes,and she some others through their actions before and after the election drew the attention of the Watchdogs.Now their up to their eyeballs in lawsuits.You are right,we need more people like the Watchdogs and the great work they do.

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