PARIS, IL. (ECWd) –

This is an update from last week’s article on the arrest and charging of Courtni Hays, former employee of the Edgar County Health Department.

Hays was book in and out of the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department on August 16, 2019.

The only issue we have with the release of this information, is that it was late. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires arrest reports be made available within 72 hours of an arrest (not 72 business hours after a FOIA request). We only ask the Edgar County Sheriff’s office be more proactive with these requests:

(5 ILCS 140/2.15)
    Sec. 2.15. Arrest reports and criminal history records.
    (a) Arrest reports. The following chronologically maintained arrest and criminal history information maintained by State or local criminal justice agencies shall be furnished as soon as practical, but in no event later than 72 hours after the arrest, notwithstanding the time limits otherwise provided for in Section 3 of this Act: (i) information that identifies the individual, including the name, age, address, and photograph, when and if available; (ii) information detailing any charges relating to the arrest; (iii) the time and location of the arrest; (iv) the name of the investigating or arresting law enforcement agency; (v) if the individual is incarcerated, the amount of any bail or bond; and (vi) if the individual is incarcerated, the time and date that the individual was received into, discharged from, or transferred from the arresting agency's custody.

See below for the Charge Sheet (or click here):

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