From WBEZ91.5:
Local officials across Illinois are getting schooled this year in transparency. By the end of this year, they're required to learn about the state's Open Meetings law, using a training on the internet. But there's a worry this noble goal could end up scaring away community volunteers.
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Read More… from A downside to Illinois’ open meetings training
From Chicago Tribune:
Local governments can no longer pay top officials under fire to resign without publicly saying why, thanks to a bill unanimously supported by state lawmakers and signed by the governor.
"I think it was ripe," said Rep. Pam Myhra, the bill's author. "I just think it was ready; taxpayers and parents really wanted to see this. I think stakeholders knew it was time."
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Read More… from Dayton signs open-government bill inspired by Burnsville schools payout
From ProPublica:
From intrusive pat-downs to body scans to perceived profiling, the Transportation Security Administration always seems to be the target of complaints.
Here's another one: It took the TSA almost four years to tell me what people complained about — in 2008.
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Read More… from TSA Reveals Passenger Complaints … Four Years Later
From Fox and Hounds Daily:
Gov. Jerry Brown missed an opportunity when he announced that he was eliminating hundreds of state reports – and seeking to eliminate hundreds more.
Brown was trying to convey that the state was buckling down and eliminating waste. But frugality was the only message. He should have paired that move with a call for more engagement – and openness.
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From Hickory Daily Record:
The Hickory City Council meeting on Tuesday was an exercise in open government. A Hickory resident took advantage of a statement on the agenda to force discussion on an issue, and the state’s open records law was illuminated for all to hear.
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Read More… from Council meeting was an exercise in open government
From Oswego Patch:
The Oswego School District 308 Board heard from upset parents Thursday night over what some say are recent violations of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
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Read More… from Parents Rebuke School Board Over Recent Closed Meetings
From Chicago Tribune:
The South Washington County school board broke the state Open Meeting Law during the process of firing Superintendent Mark Porter, a state agency has ruled.
An advisory opinion by the Minnesota Department of Administration says that the board acted illegally in meetings in December and January.
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A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week:
NARA Survey Shows Continued Govt-wide Records Mis-Management
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From Rapid City Journal:
Chadron’s efforts to hire a city manager have extended well in to 2012 after former city manager Sandra Powell resigned in October 2011. At the most recent city council meeting, the local news media was accused of interfering in the process. It’s not the first time the issue has been brought forth.
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From Woodbury Bulletin:
The South Washington County School Board violated state law in its handling of Superintendent Mark Porter’s final performance evaluation, according to a state opinion.
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Read More… from State: District 833 School Board violated Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law
