News

State reviewing alleged FOIA violation vs P’Dale Park Dist.

By James Pluta

The Pleasant Dale Park District is under investigation by the Illinois
Attorney General’s Office for resident allegations it violated state law
by missing a deadline and provided incomplete documents under a Freedom of
Information request.

A letter seeking access to 29 separate documents from the district —
specifically budgetary paperwork and numerous other inquiries related to
renovation of the Chalet recreation center — was filed Jan. 5 and not
answered until three weeks later instead of within the state’s mandated
5-day response window, according to published reports.

The request was filed by Kristin Violante of Willow Springs, Steve Kuehn
of Burr Ridge, and his father, Ken Kuehn of Countryside — part of the same
group of residents critical of the board’s actions including special
afternoon meetings to avoid public debate of issues and not being upfront
about budgetary matters.

Documents sought included Chalet lease agreements and permit/inspection
reports related to the remodeling of the facility.

Residents want to know about the renovation cost and operating budget of
the Chalet and whether the district is operating at a deficit — as
outlined by Park Board President Brad Martin in a July 14, 2009 speech to
the board. The FOIA request also sought a copy of that address.

Park District Executive Director Katherine Parker has stated all of the
documents requested were provided. She has also stated the current board
inherited $10 million in debt from prior boards that will not be paid off
for another 17 years.

A complete response was provided, but the response, petitioners argue, is
full of holes.

Missing, they have said, are Chalet renovation agreements, contractor and
business licenses for the companies that did Chalet work, tape recordings
of board meetings conducted from May to December 2009, the job description
for the executive director position and documents related to a resident
survey done in August/September 2009..

A spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office stated the matter is under
review and will be concluded with the issuance of an opinion within the
next month.