Don’t complain of barriers you create

It is ironic for the DuPage Forest Preserve or other governments to complain about the time they spend in responding to Freedom of Information Act requests. It is a self-inflicted problem.

Insisting that a request for public information be put into writing is not required by law, and creates a burden for both parties. Requiring the requester’s name and address is also chilling for the public, and none of a government’s business, but insisting upon it allows officials to keep track of who in the public is finding out what.

They should treat their records as an extension of the public library.

An enlightened public body accepts an oral request and has someone promptly fetch, fax or copy the document for the anonymous member of the public. For more vague requests or fishing, they seat the person at a table and bring in a pile of folders the curious person can browse through, perhaps with a staff member present. (I have experienced these practices in the past.)

And, sadly, I have also called the DuPage Forest Preserve for simple information: was it how much the commissioners are paid, or how many forest preserves there are? That could have been answered off the top of the head, and been denied unless I put it in writing. Once, someone even drove to my house with the form for me to sign because it was not convenient for me to fax my request.

PDF files posted on the web of the entire packet of background materials given to board members before a meeting eliminates many questions, as does posting preliminary minutes of public meetings within a day or two, instead of waiting until the next meeting — which may be weeks away — for the minutes to be “approved.”

Officials have no right to complain about the amount of work they put in to erecting obstacles.

Stan Zegel

Winfield