Distributed via Email: November 9, 2009

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT SEMINARS SET

The re-write of Illinois' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) resulted in many new requirements for public bodies. Compliance with the new law begins on Jan. 1, 2010. The changes were part of new Public Act 96-0542 (SB 189). An analysis of the Act can be found here.

The Office of the Illinois Attorney General has announced that it will hold a series of free information seminars regarding the new FOIA law. The goal of the meetings, according to the Attorney General's office, is to increase awareness of FOIA and to educate public bodies as to their responsibilities under the new Act. It is stressed that "these seminars are not mandatory for public bodies, and they do not satisfy the training requirement for FOIA and Open Meetings Act officers under these new statutes."

A list of the meeting dates and sites can be found here. If you plan to attend, please register beforehand as space will be limited. A registration form can be found here.

FOIA INFORMATION AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Panel sessions on the new FOIA requirements will also be presented at the Joint Annual Conference held Nov. 20-22 in Chicago:

• "FOIA Rewritten: With Transparency and Accountability for All . . ." is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in the Chicago 7 Room on the Ballroom Level IV at the Sheraton Hotel. The panel will address the important changes in the new FOIA law. Panelists include: Beth Bennett from the Illinois Press Association; Michael Luke from the Attorney General's Office; school law attorney Merry Rhoades; and moderator, school law attorney Heidi Katz.
• The School Board Secretaries' Program at the Conference will also address FOIA issues. Heidi Katz, a school law attorney, and Kimberly Small, Assistant General Counsel at IASB, will present a session called "Implementing FOIA's New Provisions" on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1:45, in Grand I at the Swissotel.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE PANELS SET FOR CONFERENCE

There will be several other informative panel discussions at the conference relating to the Alliance's legislative efforts. Legislators and other experts will serve on the following panels:

"2009 Legislative Session Review" Friday, Nov. 20, 1:30-3 p.m., Regency A Ballroom, Hyatt Regency West Tower. Panelists include: Senator Brad Burzynski, Representative Linda Chapa La Via, Representative Roger Eddy, Senator Heather Steans. Moderator is Susan Hilton, Alliance lobbyist.

"What's on the Fiscal Horizon?" Friday, Nov. 20, 1:30-3 p.m., Superior A/B Room, Sheraton Hotel. Panelists include: Senator Kirk Dillard (candidate for governor); Representative David Miller (candidate for comptroller). Moderator is Ben Schwarm, Alliance lobbyist.

"The Illinois Education Roundtable – Moving Forward Together" Friday, Nov. 20, 1:30–3 p.m., Columbus E/F Room, Hyatt Regency East Tower. Panelists include: Peg Agnos (LEND/SCOPE); Mike Jacoby, executive director of IASBO; Diane Rutledge (LUDA); Superintendent James Steyskal (Burbank). Moderator is Cynthia Woods, IASB Governmental Relations/Advocacy director.

"Legislative Issues Impacting School Districts" Saturday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Regency C Ballroom, Hyatt Regency West Tower. Panelists include: Representative Roger Eddy, Representative Mike Smith, Darren Reisberg (ISBE attorney). Moderator is Calvin Jackson, Alliance lobbyist.

"Local Property Tax Revenues: Stable & Reliable for 2010 and Beyond" Saturday, Nov. 21, 1:30-3 p.m., Regency B Ballroom, Hyatt Regency West Tower. Panelists include: Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Senator Terry Link, Ray Coyne (Retired School Business Official), Todd Drafall (School Business Official), Stuart Whitt (school law attorney).

Moderator is Deanna Sullivan, Alliance lobbyist.

This legislative report is written and edited by the lobbyists of the Illinois Association of School Boards to provide information to the members of the organizations that comprise the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance.

Alliance Legislative Reports are Cosponsored by IASB and:
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