FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 9, 2009

Contact: 
Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022

Caroline Roth
630/407-6033

SCHILLERSTROM CALLS ON COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO ENSURE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY THE PUBLIC IS READILY AVAILABLE

DU PAGE COUNTY -- DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom on Tuesday called on every DuPage County Board and Commission that his office appoints, and the County Board approves, to review their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy to ensure it is in line with the county's policy, and to ensure that the information requested of them by the public is readily available. 

"The work we do at every level of county government should be open and transparent, and I hope every board and commission will follow our example to maintain the public's trust," said Schillerstrom.

Currently, DuPage County does not charge anything if a FOIA request is under ten pages.  If it is more than ten pages, there is a charge of eight cents per page.  However, the requestor can ask to waive the fees if they are a non-for-profit and/or the requested data will be used to benefit the public. In that instance, the county just needs to know how the requested information will benefit the public.  

"Our policy has been 'comply, not deny' and I hope that will be the policy of every agency in DuPage County," said Schillerstrom. 

New legislation expanding and enhancing the Freedom of Information Act was also passed by both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly this session, which will go into effect January 1, 2010.  However, DuPage County will begin following this new legislation immediately in order to remain at the forefront of government transparency. 

Ensuring residents have easy access to government information was one of the recommendations of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Government Transparency and  Accessibility, which was chaired by County Board Member Jeff Redick (District 2).

"With our continued commitment to transparency, and with this new state legislation having passed, we hope every Board and Commission will make certain that any information requested of them by the public is provided in a timely and transparent manner, and that all costs associated with FOIA requests are kept to a minimum," said Redick.

For more information, please visit www.dupageco.org. 

# # #