Ease Public Records Burden: Burr Ridge Officials

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge is joining other DuPage County towns in asking the state to ease its burden under the state Freedom of Information Act, which ensures people have access to government records.

Last week, the Village Board voted unanimously for the legislative agenda of the DuPage County Mayors and Managers Conference. Mayor Gary Grasso headed the conference's committee that created the list of requests.

The conference wants the state to extend the response period for non-commercial public records requests. Now, it is five business days, allowing reasons for extensions. The conference does not say what it would like the period to be.

The conference is also asking the state to let towns charge fees for electronic records, which are free now.

Also on the agenda is a request to continue protecting the legal concept of qualified immunity. The conference says this makes sure local governments are not "unduly liable" for officials discharging their duties.

Many pushing for more scrutiny of police officers have asked to limit qualified immunity, making it easier to successfully sue officers individually.

Burr Ridge is a non-home rule town. The conference asks lawmakers to repeal "arbitrary" restrictions on non-home rule towns, including those related to crime-free housing programs, eminent domain, police personnel discipline procedures and environmental regulatory authority.

Check the conference's list of requests to lawmakers.