College of DuPage – FOIA violations continue!

DuPage Co. (ECWd) –

We thought things would improve with the College of DuPage Freedom of Information requests after the election, however, those thoughts appear to be short lived.

After the courts refused to provide Breuder’s W-2 form we followed the advice of the courts and asked for the information in a different way.

“Copy of all compensation for employment for Dr. Breuder from date of hire, January 1st 2009 to current date. I am not seeking his contract. I am seeking ALL compensation provided to him whether that be financial, benefits, memberships, etc. Any compensation in the form of financial I am asking for copies of those checks. If the compensation was benefits or memberships I am asking for all documentation pertaining to those benefits and/or memberships. I would appreciate these matters be broken down by year, as in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 etc.” 

That FOIA request was extended to May 27th, 2015.  May 27th came and went and once again COD has violated the law by failing to comply with the mandated time line requirements.   (Click here for the COD extension letter)

We have heard excuses over and over and it’s time COD take a hard look at these violations and implement a fix.  If the FOIA officer can’t keep up with the work-load then bring in another person to help.  If the FOIA officer is failing to do her job, take necessary steps to fix that problem and if it continues, replace her.  If the holdup is the Administration who is still trying to avoid transparency, fire them!

What do I find in my inbox this morning? “Because of the size this has been put on a disc and sent by U.S. mail.”  Never mind the fact that it is 6 days past the time they told me I would have the information.  Now I will be waiting at least another 4 days for the mail to arrive. 

So once again, COD violates FOIA and no one is being held accountable.  I would suggest the Board of Trustees do their job, appoint a FOIA officer, and establish a policy for compliance that includes action to be taken for non-compliance.