Freedom of Information Act

Purpose:
The Long Grove Park District (LGPD) is a non-taxing local government agency established to preserve open lands, protect natural habitats, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for the community. The District maintains and manages public parks, woodlands, trails, and natural areas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

 

Functional Subdivisions:

  • Board of Commissioners: Governing authority responsible for policy and oversight.

  • Operations and Programs: Management of properties, business operations, events, programs, and volunteers.

  • Administration and Finance: Record-keeping, office management, and correspondence.

  • Stewardship and Maintenance: Ecological restoration, land care, and facility upkeep.

 

Operating Budget:
Approximate annual operating budget:

  • Total Anticipated Income: $286,750 (non-taxing revenue supported by program fees, sponsorships, donations, cell tower rental fee and bank interest).

  • Total Anticipated Expenses: $374,372

  • Budgeted spend based on utilizing bank reserves

Offices and Facilities:

  • Main Office: Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, IL 60047
    (Administrative office and primary public meeting location)

 

Employees:

  • Full-time employees: 1 (sub 40 hours)

  • Part-time employees/contracted staff: 2

  • Volunteers and seasonal assistants: Varies by program

Board of Commissioners:
The Long Grove Park District is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Commissioners who serve four-year terms without compensation.

  • President/Commissioner: Jim Southwell

  • Vice President/Commissioner: Janet Healy

  • Treasurer/Commissioner: Angie Underwood

  • Secretary/Commissioner: Roy Skillicorn

  • Other Commissioners: Richard Federer, Nadia Shah, Steve Wernikoff

The Board meets monthly at the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center. Meetings are open to the public and posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

 

Methods for Requesting Public Records

Public records may be requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140).
Requests must be made in writing and clearly describe the records sought. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.

When submitting your written request, you must be as specific as possible.  The Freedom of Information Act is designed to allow you to inspect public records and/or to be provided with copies of public records. It is not designed to require a public body to answer questions.

When a written request for records has been submitted, the Park District must provide access to those records and/or copies within five (5) business days. Under certain circumstances, this time limit may be extended for five (5) more business days. Notice of this five-day extension must be sent to the person requesting the records.

Request must indicate if it is for a commercial purpose in which case the Park District will provide access to the records and/or copies within twenty-one (21) business days. (It is a violation of the Act for a person to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose.)

There is no fee for the first 50 pages of standard paper copies. For more than 50 copies, there is a fee of .15 cents per page. You are permitted to ask for a waiver of copying fees. You must include a specific explanation as to why your request for information merits a fee waiver and include the following statement on your written request, “I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request.”

Requests must include:

  • Full name

  • Phone number(s)

  • Mailing address

  • E-mail address 

 

Methods of submission:

  • Written letter identifying the records requested

 

Freedom of Information Act Officers

Designated FOIA Officers:

  • Primary FOIA Officer: Janet Healy, Board Vice President

  • Secondary FOIA Officer: Jim Southwell, Board President

Address for FOIA Requests

 Mail or Deliver to:
Long Grove Park District
Attn: Freedom of Information Officer
3849 Old McHenry Road
Long Grove, IL 60047

Email: info@lgparks.org
Phone (for general inquiries): (847) 438-4743

  • In accordance with Section 5 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/5), the Long Grove Park District maintains certain public records in electronic form, including but not limited to financial reports, correspondence, registration data, and meeting documentation.

     

    Upon request, these electronic records will be provided in a commonly used and comprehensible format such as PDF, Excel, or printed copy.

    If a record is stored in a specialized program or system that requires conversion, the Park District will make reasonable efforts to furnish it in a form that can be understood by persons lacking knowledge of computer language or printout format.

  • Pursuant to Section 5 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/5), the Long Grove Park District maintains and makes available for inspection and copying a reasonably current list of the types and categories of records under its control. This list is intended to help individuals identify the kinds of public records that may be requested.

     

    The following are the primary categories of records maintained by the Park District:

    • Administrative Records — organizational charts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and general correspondence.

    • Board and Meeting Records — meeting agendas, minutes, notices, and packets.

    • Financial and Accounting Records — budgets, audits, invoices, vendor contracts and payments, and grant files.

    • Program and Event Materials — activity listings, promotional materials, registration forms, and participant communications.

    • Property and Maintenance Files — park maps, site plans, stewardship and maintenance logs, permits, and leases.

    • Personnel and Volunteer Records — job descriptions, employment policies, and volunteer documentation (excluding confidential personnel data protected by law).

    • Legal and Compliance Documents — contracts, partnership agreements, intergovernmental agreements, and regulatory filings.

    • Marketing and Public Communications — press releases, newsletters, website and social media content, and photographs.

     

    This list is reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect current operations and recordkeeping practices.