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...
Sangamon Co. (ECWd) - Once again, Rochester Fire Protection District (FPD) Trustee Gary McBride becomes newsworthy. The trustees of the Rochester FPD held a meeting on December 14, 2022. Gary McBride is the Board President and apparently, he felt he could intimidate and headbutt a camera...
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...
DuPage Co. (ECWd) - Yesterday a federal jury in Chicago returned a NOT GUILTY verdict ($0.00) in the wrongful termination and defamation lawsuit brought by Principal John Thuet against Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Thuet's case was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of...
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,...
Coles Co. (ECWd) - Once again, a simple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has triggered compliance with the Open Meetings Act (OMA). We requested the OMA training certificates for the Coles County Board of Review on December 5, 2022. We requested those records because we found...
Shelbyville, IL. (ECWd) - During the first meeting of the newly elected Shelby County Board, the board voted to appoint an Acting County Engineer, and make the appointment effective to the date the Illinois Department of Transportation approved his future appointment. This marks a turning point in...
