Assumption, Illinois – FOIA Response Clears Up Speculations and Confusion

Christian Co. (ECWd) –

Over the weekend, we published this article regarding an Assumption Alderman and his wife, who were arrested according to the police report.

To our surprise, social media exploded with comments ranging from defending them to claims that we are exploiting them by publishing our article.  Additional “assumptions” from comments on social media indicate that either people can’t read and comprehend plain English, or cannot process the truth.

“The fire department and city are not connected, you people should do your homework before posting stupid reports”

The above commentator must have missed what the city has posted on their website.

“The City of Assumption Fire Department’s mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all citizens and visitors from the adverse effects of natural and man-made emergencies. 

Our goal is to provide a protection program through a cost-efficient approach to emergency response, fire code application and public fire education.” (emphasis added)

The paragraph indicates to anyone reading it that the city has a fire department.  If that were true, the Alderman should not be the Fire Chief, as that would be a conflict.

Turns out, the city does not have a fire department, even though the website indicates they do.  How special is that?  The response to our Freedom of Information Act Request resulted in a rather humorous posturing from the city.

“In response, the Assumption Fire Department is an independent local governmental body; although the City “has” the fire department in the sense that the department is located within and provides fire protection to the City, the City has no governing authority over the Assumption Fire Department. The website reference cited in your request is for informational and public service purposes in order to include the contact information for the Assumption Fire Department for ease of reference for website users. Any suggestion in the website that the Assumption Fire Department is an office or department or agency of the City is incorrect, and no documents exist indicating any control or authority of the City over the Assumption Fire Department.”

So, to clear this up, the City is admitting that their suggestion that they have a fire department with a specific goal to “provide a protection program through a cost-efficient approach to emergency response, fire code application and public fire education”, would be incorrect. 

Shame on us for thinking what they published on their site was correct. 

As far as the social media post trying to imply we needed to prove alcohol was being sold after hours, they, too, appear to have a reading comprehension challenge, as that is not the standard found in the city code that was linked in the article in question.

We did get confirmation that the establishment, Friendly Bar of Assumption, was cited with a violation and fined $300.00 for not only being open after hours but also for allowing the sale of alcohol to patrons during that time.

A copy of the FOIA response which includes the code violation letter can be downloaded at this link or viewed below. Note that the redactions were done by us, not the public body.  We are amazed that releasing a person’s signature does not appear to be an issue with so many public bodies.