Hinsdale D-86 Official Struggles For Legal Bill Info

DARIEN, IL – A Hinsdale High School District 86 board member says she is having a hard time getting information about the district's legal bills.

During a Feb. 24 board meeting, member Peggy James wanted to ask questions about the district's nearly $30,000 in monthly legal bills.

But Board President Terri Walker stopped James. She said James could ask questions of her or Superintendent Tammy Prentiss outside a board meeting. Walker advised against a public discussion because of the secrecy involved with attorney-client communications.

At Thursday's meeting, James said she emailed questions to Walker, as she was directed. But she said Walker replied that her questions were "irrelevant" and did not answer them.

In response, Walker confirmed she said the questions were irrelevant because the bills had already been approved.

She said James and other members should ask questions about the bills before meetings.

Under the state's open records law, attorney bills are subject to disclosure. But public bodies can black out portions that are considered attorney-client privilege. Government entities differ on how much they remove.

At the February board meeting, the board voted 4-2 to approve the bills. Members Jeff Waters and Debbie Levinthal dissented; James abstained.