District 118 Petition Challenged

The Daily Herald reports today on the District 118 petition to force the school board to go to referendum to sell $16.9 million to offset payroll and state funding. Trustee Mary Schor led the fight to force the school board to let the voters decide on the next election ballot. The 430-page objection claims many of the signatures obtained are of unregistered voters or out of district voters.

Click the link below to read the full story

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=330101

Government in Secrecy: A Chicago Tribune Investigation (Island Lake is one of the featured governments)

Over the last year or so, The Chicago Tribune has been conducting its own investigations into government corruption—not only in the Blago administration— but statewide governments are included in their research. Today, a Tribune article focusses on the roadblocks that our own elected officals encounter when trying to access public records.

 

"Public bodies have gotten comfortable with an unenforceable law and have gotten very good at roadblocks, making it brutally difficult to give access to information that the public is entitled to or board members are entitled to," said Attorney General Lisa Madigan's deputy chief of staff, Cara Smith.

 

These roadblocks did play a part in the new FOIA changes that will go into effect January 1. Currently, the law is virtually unenforceable, but with the changes to the FOIA law, it will be difficult for government to hide records from the public, and if they do, they can be fined. The new FOIA law gives the Attorney General the authority to enforce the law and hold violators accountable.

 

Click the link(s) below to go to the featured story.

 

If those seeking transparency in Island Lake government thought our situation was unique, this story certainly blows that theory out of the water. Secrecy, non-transparent government and insolence is rampant among local government in Illinois, but hopefully the FOIA law will change most, if not all secrecy.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-board-politics-monoct20,0,7297678.story

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-board-politics-sidebar-20-oct20,0,3734630.story

 

 

 

 

REVISED Agenda for 10-22-09 Board Meeting

VILLAGE OF ISLAND LAKE

LAKE AND MCHENRY COUNTIES


REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA
LOCATION: 3720 GREENLEAF, ISLAND LAKE, IL 60042

October 22, 2009 7:30 pm

Call to Order

Roll Call

Special Presentation by Students of District 118 for CPFS program

Public Comment: The public is invited to make an issue oriented comment on any matter of public concern not otherwise on the agenda. The public comment may be no longer than 5 minutes in duration. Interrogation of the village staff, Mayor or Trustees will not be allowed during this time, nor will any comment from the Trustees. Personal criticism against village staff or elected officials is not permitted.

Items from the Mayor

Items from the Clerk, Trustees, Attorney, Engineer and Department Heads

Agenda Items:

1. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between Village of Island Lake &

    Sheltering Oaks to provide emergency shelter. – Trustee Mascillino

2. Motion to reconsider Waste Mgmt contract extension as previously presented. – Trustee O’Malley  

3.  Motion to Approve contract extension with Waste Mgmt as previously presented on October 8, 2009  – Trustee O’Malley

3. Approval of signs for the Wauconda American Legion 911 Post Casino Night -  November 12, 2009 thru November 15, 2009 – Trustee Verciglio       

Adjournment to Executive Session
· Pending or probable litigation
· Personnel
· Sale, lease and/or acquisition of land.

Reconvene to Regular Session with Roll Call

Action on Executive Session

Adjournment at 10:00pm