In a recent government meeting, tensions flared over the handling of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, particularly concerning the county treasurer's decision to provide documents to the Edgar County Watch Dogs before most board members received them. Christian Miller and Chris Bane, two local residents, raised concerns about the legitimacy of verbal FOIA requests, which the treasurer, Miss Bernabeur, claimed were used by the watchdog group to obtain a draft of the fiscal year 2022 documents.

Miller questioned the implications of verbal FOIA requests, noting that while the Illinois Freedom of Information Act allows public bodies to honor such requests, it does not mandate documentation of them. This lack of documentation raises concerns about accountability and the potential for legal disputes over information obtained through verbal requests.

The discussion also highlighted a troubling pattern, as Miller pointed out that watchdog organizations have previously sued local governments for FOIA violations, resulting in significant financial gains for these entities. He expressed alarm over the treasurer's willingness to provide county documents to individuals who do not reside or pay taxes in the area, while denying similar requests from board members and county residents.

Miller's remarks were underscored by a broader concern regarding the use of social media by elected officials to publicly criticize constituents. He referenced previous incidents where officials, including Mister Orman, have made disparaging comments about local residents, which he argued undermines the community's trust and violates their rights to seek information from public bodies.

The meeting underscored the ongoing debate over transparency and accountability in local government, as residents continue to seek clarity on the processes governing public information access.