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 140/1 et seq.). Requests must be made in writing and clearly describe the records sought. Written requests may be submitted in person at the Park District’s main office, by U.S. mail, or electronic mail at FOIA@lgparks.org.
When submitting your written FOIA request, you must be as specific as possible in identifying the records requested. The Freedom of Information Act allows you as a member of the public to inspect public records and/or to be provided with copies of public records. It is not intended to require a public body to answer questions. After a written FOIA request has been submitted, the Park District must provide access to requested records and/or copies within five (5) business days. Under certain circumstances, the Park District’s time to respond to a FOIA request may be extended for five (5) more business days. Notice of an extension must be sent to the person requesting the records. A FOIA request must indicate if it is for a commercial purpose, in which case the Park District will provide access to the requested records and/or copies within twenty-one (21) business days. (It is a violation of FOIA 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 requests of more than 50 copies, there is a fee of .15 cents per page after the first 50 pages. You may ask for a waiver of copying fees, but a specific explanation as to why a FOIA request merits a fee waiver must be included. The following statement should be included on any FOIA request seeking a fee waiver, “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:
A written FOIA request identifying the records requested can be submitted in writing or via email to FOIA@lgparks.org
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: FOIA@lgparks.org
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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 upon request.
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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.