From the Illinois Policy Institute…
Many of you are familiar with FOIA requests: they allow engaged citizens to request public documents. State requirements ensure governments provide these documents in a timely manner.
But on Friday, Gov. Quinn signed a bill that weakened these rules. Now, governments will be allowed to characterize citizens as “recurrent requesters.” If a citizen requests more than 15 documents in a month or 50 in a year, government entities no longer need to respond promptly.
This law punishes citizens who pay close attention. Instead of creating new obstacles for the very people who are most engaged in holding our government accountable, we should be celebrating their efforts.
In my role as the Institute’s Government Reform Policy Analyst, I am more than happy to speak with any interested citizens to discuss these changes and their impact on the fight for greater accountability in Illinois. You can contact me by phone at 217.528.8800 or by email at mcavers@illinoispolicy.org.
Thank you,
Mark Cavers
Government Reform Policy Analyst
Institute News and Events
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Local Transparency Project Grades the Lyons Township Area
Read about some of the transparency challenges and successes of the various communities in the Lyons Township area. click here.
Save the Date: The Illinois Jobs Tour with Stephen Moore of The Wall Street Journal
Join the Institute’s Kristina Rasmussen and Stephen Moore of The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. at Olivet Nazarene University for a lively discussion on how failed policy created our current economic mess and solutions to clean it up. The event is sponsored by The Family Taxpayers Foundation and the Illinois Policy Institute.
How the Recent Credit Downgrade will Impact Consumers: Lunch Discussion
Join the Illinois Policy Institute and the Mercatus Center on Tuesday, Sept. 13, for a lunch and discussion on the systematic problems of the federal budget and ways to help Congress bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. The event will take place from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Steakhouse in Chicago. To RSVP and to learn more click here.
Save the Date: Luncheon with Congressman Jeff Flake
Save the date for a luncheon with Congressman Jeff Flake on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011. More details coming soon.
Regulators Gone Wild
Join our friends at the Heartland Institute on Tuesday, Sept. 20 for a luncheon at Petterino’s (150 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60601) from 11:30-1:30 p.m. Author Richard Trzupek will discuss his new book, “Regulators Gone Wild: How the EPA is Ruining American Industry.” Cost is $25 for the luncheon and another $26 for a signed copy of the book. Click here to register
Years ago, I watch an American documentary of economic compare with Europe, in EZ, young drop outs got job learning machinery, got government finance new car, Co. got tax brake if hire, got finance machinery and ecological incentives, in America drop outs got minimum wage, got old car and pregnant girlfriend,,, America, show me more…