Island Lake stands pat on FOIA rules

After receiving advice from their attorney, Island Lake trustees on Thursday opted not to tweak the town's Freedom of Information Act policy.

Trustee Don Saville had sought to reinstate an exemption that would give board members the right to access documents without having to submit formal FOIA requests like local residents. But attorney Scott Puma said such an exemption isn't legally necessary.

Sitting trustees should have easy access to documents they need to do their jobs, Puma said.

Saville's proposal was rejected 4-3.

Saville and trustees John Ponio and Laurie Rabattini backed the proposal. It was opposed by trustees Connie Mascillino, Donna O'Malley and Don Verciglio. Mayor Debbie Herrmann cast the deciding vote.

Saville, Rabattini and Ponio all have complained they've been told to file FOIA requests for information, whereas other trustees haven't faced the same roadblocks, the Daily Herald reported last week.

On Thursday, Ponio said he has had trouble getting complete information even when he requests it through the state Freedom of Information Act.

"I'm a little frustrated because now I have to go through the FOIA process, and even when I go through the FOIA process I'm not getting the correct information," he said.

The state law, which was reworked by the General Assembly last year, gives people access to public records such as contracts, budgets and memos. Elected officials usually aren't required to file formal requests to see these documents.

Villages were required to adopt local versions of the law by Jan. 1. Island Lake trustees were officially exempt from filing FOIA requests until the board adopted its local regulation in December that eliminated the exemption.

On Thursday, Puma said an exemption would not be necessary because as trustees, they are already exempt.

State law doesn't specifically address the practice, a representative from the Illinois attorney general's office told the Daily Herald.

Regardless, Rabattini said she will continue to file formal requests for documents to ensure timely delivery.

"I'm still going to FOIA because it takes stress off me that I don't have to argue with anyone and I'm going to get it in five to 10 days," she said.

Herrmann said she does not control how information is dispersed in the village.

Daily Herald Staff Writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report.