House would keep government evaluations secret
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House voted Thursday to keep evaluations of public employees private, barring them from being released to the public.
The proposal, which now goes to the Illinois Senate for consideration, follows lawmakers' previous push to similarly exempt teacher evaluations from public disclosure.
Last year, state lawmakers approved sweeping changes to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The changes generally make it easier, cheaper and faster to get government information. But those changes, heralded by Gov. Pat Quinn and others, have quickly been targeted by lawmakers and local government groups.
An array of legislation has been proposed to scale back the changes.
The plan to keep all evaluations private was sponsored by state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat. It was approved 70-39.
How they votedHere's how suburban lawmakers voted on HB5154 to keep public employees' job evaluations exempt from provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.Suburban representatives voting "yes":Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Palatine Republican; Linda Chapa LaVia, Aurora Democrat; Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican; Paul Froehlich, Schaumburg Democrat; Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican; Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat; Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican; Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican; Eddie Washington, Waukegan DemocratSuburban representatives voting "no":Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills Republican; Robert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst Republican; Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican; Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican; Michael Connelly, Lisle Republican; Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat; Tom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader); Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat; Jack D. Franks, Woodstock Democrat; Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican; Emily McAsey, Lockport Democrat; Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican; JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican; Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican; Timothy L. Schmitz, Batavia Republican; Carol Sente, Vernon Hills Democrat; Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein Republican; Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican; Mark Walker, Arlington Heights DemocratNot voting:Randy Ramey, Carol Stream Republican; Darlene Senger, Naperville RepublicanSource: HB 5154 roll call