feature

04 Mar Algonquin Township Sanctioned by Court, ordered to pay Watchdogs’ Attorney fees –

Posted at 11:15h in Algonquin Township, Algonquin Township, feature, James Kelly, McHenry County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 1 Comment

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Algonquin Township - (ECWd) - In this morning's Hearing for the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by Kirk Allen and John Kraft against Algonquin Township (18CH238), the Township's attorney showed up apparently unprepared asking for a continuance. Plaintiff attorney, Denise Ambroziak objected to the continuance, said...

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04 Mar APEX-Lincoln Land Wind paying ~$100,000 for one set-back waiver –

Posted at 10:25h in feature, Morgan County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 1 Comment

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MORGAN CO., IL. (ECWd) - According to the Siting Application posted to Morgan County's website, APEX-Lincoln Land Wind has a signed contract with a landowner for a Set-back waiver and easement for underground wiring for the Lincoln Land Wind Farm. Fee Schedules of this type are rarely...

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03 Mar Alorton Mayor Jo Ann Reed arrested for DUI –

Posted at 15:23h in City of Alorton, feature, St Clair County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 4 Comments

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Alorton, IL. (ECWd) - Alorton Mayor Jo Ann Reed was arrested on suspicion of DUI and illegal stopping early last Sunday morning in O'Fallon, IL. Reed was arrested on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 2:35 AM.  She was issued citations for Driving Under the Influence and Illegal...

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03 Mar Piatt County Board compensation resolution violates state law

Posted at 12:29h in County Board Chairman Ray Spencer, feature, Piatt County by Kirk Allen & John Kraft 1 Comment

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Piatt Co. (ECWd) - While the Piatt County Board Chairman, Ray Spencer, is facing multiple criminal indictments for alleged Official Misconduct and Forgery, his problems may grow and actually implicate the rest of the board members. The law specifically outlines the criteria for County Board member's compensation. "shall...

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01 Mar Shelby County – Who can sign contracts?

Posted at 18:39h in feature, Shelby County, Shelbyville by Kirk Allen & John Kraft 0 Comments

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Shelby Co. (ECWd) - Key language found in the laws for our public bodies sets the stage for all action taken.  "may sue and be sued" (55 ILCS 5/5-1001) Sec. 5-1001. Corporate name of county. Each county which has been, or may be established in this State,...

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29 Feb Shelby County – Lease of public property for private use – taxes – legality

Posted at 19:08h in feature, Shelby County, Shelbyville by Kirk Allen & John Kraft 3 Comments

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Shelby Co. (ECWd) - When Benjamin Franklin said we have "A Republic, if you can keep it", he knew keeping it would take work.   "We The People" are the ones responsible for that work and when we ignore our local government and their actions we find...

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29 Feb AG weighs in on KRMA appointments; no definitive answer –

Posted at 13:07h in feature, Kankakee County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 0 Comments

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Kankakee, IL. (ECWd) - The Illinois Attorney General's Opinions Bureau issued a letter concerning municipal alderman appointments to the Kankakee River Metropolitan Agency's ("KRMA") Board of Directors. We were hoping any opinion would also include advice on legalities of Mayors appointing themselves to the KRMA, but it...

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29 Feb AG: Belleville improperly withheld public records –

Posted at 10:17h in feature, St Clair County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 0 Comments

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Belleville, IL. (ECWd) - In a February 28, 2020 determination letter, the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor determined that the City of Belleville did not sustain its burden of demonstrating that certain information it redacted from a crash report responsive to a FOIA request is exempt...

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28 Feb AG Binding Opinion: Kankakee County violated Freedom of Information Act –

Posted at 11:01h in feature, Kankakee County by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 2 Comments

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Kankakee Co. (ECWd) - In its second Binding Opinion in 2020, the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor has issued a Binding Opinion stating that the County of Kankakee had violated the freedom of Information Act by failing to comply with, deny in whole or in...

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27 Feb Dale Colter appeared in Court, pled not guilty –

Posted at 14:02h in Edgar County, feature, Featured, Vermilion Fire Dept by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 0 Comments

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Paris, IL. (ECWd) - Dale Colter had a court appearance today in Edgar County. According to the court docket, Edgar County State's Attorney Mark Isaf and Defense Attorney Bruce Baber were present. Probable Cause was found and a Not Guilty plea was entered with a demand for jury...

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