Kankakee, IL. (ECWd) - Kankakee Circuit Judge Thomas W. Cunnington issued a 36-page Memorandum of Decision late yesterday declaring portions of the SAFE-T Act as unconstitutional. From within the Memorandum of Decision: Act does not violate the single-subject rule Plaintiffs have standing to bring the suit Likely...
Tallahassee, Florida (ECWd) - During our recent trip to Florida, Peter Schweizer invited the Edgar County Watchdogs to The Drill Down with Peter Schweizer for a discussion on local governments. We appreciate the invitation to speak. Listen to it and read it (HERE). If you are interested in the...
Madison Co., IL. (ECWd) - The Veterans Assistance Commission of Madison County ("VACMC") has, in the past year attempted to make excuses as to why they think they can donate money to other organizations. The Military Veterans Assistance Act ("MVAA") was established by the legislature to provide...
Paris, IL. (ECWd) - Press Release: Paris, IL - On Christmas Day, a fire suppression line broke at Paris High School, causing significant damage to the building. Despite precautions being taken to prevent such an incident, including keeping the building at 65 degrees and conducting regular walk-throughs...
Mattoon, IL (ECWd) - I guess this is why it is called an "opinion" - because opinions can be wrong. At least it was put into writing for all to see. We previously wrote about an email sent by a Mattoon School board member to a few other...
Champaign County, IL. (ECWd) - In November we received a tip about the Sangamon Valley Public Water District's ("SVPWD") announcement of a gift card give-a-way, consisting of $200 gift cards given to 16 "needy" families. Knowing this to be an impermissible gifting of public funds, we posited...
Illinois (ECWd) - After being informed of a township board meeting where two trustees and the supervisor were present, which created the quorum necessary to conduct and vote on the public business of a five-member public body, we thought it prudent to refresh our reader's memory...
Kansas, IL. (ECWd) - The Kansas Township Board of Trustees met on October 10, 2022 (Columbus Day) for the purpose of holding a truth-in-taxation hearing - a requirement when attempting to increase its property tax levy by more than 5% from the previous year. The Open Meetings...
Rantoul, IL. (ECWd) - In the fall of 2018, voters in the Village of Rantoul approved a referendum to elect village trustees by district (instead of at-large) as provided for in the Illinois Municipal Code. During the Spring 2021 election, village trustees were elected by district, and...
Mattoon, IL. (ECWd) - Board members Dale Righter and Michelle Skinlo must publicly apologize for their unprofessional and false accusations against a fellow board member. During the October board of education meeting, Board President Michelle Skinlo and member Dale Righter both falsely accused a fellow board member,...
