Emails Regarding Steven Yasell & Stephen Folga
Submitted | Nov. 15, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Northwestside Coalition
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act., I hereby request the following records:
all emails that contain any mention of Steven/Steve Yasell and/or Steve/Stephen Folga between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed (inclusive of those dates), sent to or received from (including To, Cc, Bcc fields) these email addresses:
Cyndi Rademacher - crademac@nileslibrary.org, cyndi.rademacher@nileslibrary.org
Carolyn Drblik - cdrblik@nileslibrary.org, foiarequest.cd@gmail.com
Patti Rozanski - prozansk@nileslibrary.org
Suzanne Schoenfeldt - sschoenf@nileslibrary.org, keeneyqueen@sbcglobal.net
Joe Makula - jmakula@nileslibrary.org, makulajoseph@yahoo.com
Becky Keane - bkeane@nileslibrary.org
Dianne Olson - dolson@nileslibrary.org
trustees@nileslibrary.org
Steven Yasell and Steve Folga are applicants for the vacant Niles-Maine District Library board seat that Olivia Hanusiak left upon her resignation in August 2021.[1]
Trustees Carolyn Drblik, Olivia Hanusiak, Suzanne Schoenfeldt, and Joe Makula introduced a measure to hire Steven Yasell’s video production company for a $100 per hour unlimited contract.[2] Yasell did campaign videos for the Niles Maine Library Trustees Ready for Change slate of candidates that included Olivia Hanusiak, Suzanne Schoenfeldt, and Joe Makula which suggests a conflict of interest. This caused a community uproar with a letter-writing campaign called “Reject the Corrupt Contract” organized by the Niles Coalition.[3]
Stephen Folga was a member of the Niles Maine Library Trustees Ready for Change slate which included current board members Suzanne Schoenfeldt, and Joe Makula. In a candidate forum Makula made racist comments[4] that none of his slate, including Stephen Folga, disavowed.
Both Steven Yasell and Stephen Folga currently seek the vacant trustee seat.[5] The decision to approve an applicant rests upon the board of trustees which include Carolyn Drblik, Suzanne Schoenfeldt, and Joe Makula.
[1] Chicago Tribune: Members of activist group seek diversity on Niles-Maine Library Board as trustees prepare to fill vacant seat
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-library-board-vacancy-tl-0923-20210916-fnm3vunb4fgsvhwfmsamdosgci-story.html
[2] Chicago Tribune: Niles library board hires former mayoral candidate at $100 per hour, drawing scrutiny from some trustees
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-library-board-tl-0527-20210525-dl3ralgk2jb2hok574aubltkve-story.html
[3] https://www.nilescoalition.org/2021/05/28/reject-the-corrupt-contract/
[4] Chicago Tribune: Niles youth group plans ‘Liberate the Library’ rally
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-youth-library-rally-tl-1014-20211012-vpixdpjdqvaanhhoux3f2j52zq-story.html
[5] Chicago Tribune: 13 apply to fill vacancy on volatile Niles-Maine District Library Board
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-library-applicants-tl-1028-20211021-nllgz7q44jf5fbibfvsuvjb2ci-story.html
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Northwestside Coalition
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Illinois Freedom of Information Act. request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 15, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Illinois Freedom of Information Act. request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Niles-maine District Library
Yes I will have a response to you tomorrow.
Cyndi
From: Niles-maine District Library
December 8, 2021
VIA: E-mail requests@muckrock.com
To whom it may concern,
We receive your Freedom of Information request dated November 15, 2021
for all emails that contain any mention of Steven/Steve Yasell and/or Steve/Stephen Folga between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed (inclusive of those dates), sent to or received from (including To, Cc, Bcc fields) these email addresses:
Cyndi Rademacher - crademac@nileslibrary.org, cyndi.rademacher@nileslibrary.org
Carolyn Drblik - cdrblik@nileslibrary.org, foiarequest.cd@gmail.com
Patti Rozanski - prozansk@nileslibrary.org
Suzanne Schoenfeldt - sschoenf@nileslibrary.org, keeneyqueen@sbcglobal.net
Joe Makula - jmakula@nileslibrary.org, makulajoseph@yahoo.com
Becky Keane - bkeane@nileslibrary.org
Dianne Olson - dolson@nileslibrary.org
trustees@nileslibrary.org
Library’s Response
I apologize for the delay in responding to this request. Your request is granted in part and denied in part. Records responsive to your request covering the time period of October 1 through November 8, 2021 are attached. We are running an additional search for responsive records from October 9 through November 16, 2021. And will follow up with an additional response after attorney review.
Certain information has been withheld or redacted pursuant to the sections of FOIA below:
· Section 7(1)(b) of FOIA, Private information, unless disclosure is required by another provision of this Act, a State or federal law or a court order.
· Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA, Personal information contained within public records, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, unless the disclosure is consented to in writing by the individual subjects of the information. "Unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" means the disclosure of information that is highly personal or objectionable to a reasonable person and in which the subject's right to privacy outweighs any legitimate public interest in obtaining the information. The disclosure of information that bears on the public duties of public employees and officials shall not be considered an invasion of personal privacy.
· Section 7(1)(f) of FOIA, Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record shall not be exempt when the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body. The exemption provided in this paragraph (f) extends to all those records of officers and agencies of the General Assembly that pertain to the preparation of legislative documents.
· Section 7(1)(m) of FOIA, (m) Communications between a public body and an attorney or auditor representing the public body that would not be subject to discovery in litigation, and materials prepared or compiled by or for a public body in anticipation of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding upon the request of an attorney advising the public body, and materials prepared or compiled with respect to internal audits of public bodies.
Appeal
You have a right to have this response reviewed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). You can file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 South 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Fax: 217-782-1396
E-mail: publicaccess@atg.state.il.us<mailto:publicaccess@atg.state.il.us>
If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of this letter. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and this letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.
Sincerely,
Cyndi Rademacher
FOIA Officer
Cyndi Rademacher
Executive Director
[cid:c307495a-ad84-451e-9f5d-78c3a43409f8]
6960 Oakton Street, Niles, IL 60714
847-663-6401 |crademac@nileslibrary.org<mailto:crademac@nileslibrary.org>
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Outlook-pvuu0kxi
From: Niles-maine District Library
Cyndi Rademacher would like to recall the message, "Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Request: Emails Regarding Steven Yasell & Stephen Folga".
From: Niles-maine District Library
December 8, 2021
VIA: E-mail requests@muckrock.com
To whom it may concern,
We receive your Freedom of Information request dated November 15, 2021
for all emails that contain any mention of Steven/Steve Yasell and/or Steve/Stephen Folga between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed (inclusive of those dates), sent to or received from (including To, Cc, Bcc fields) these email addresses:
Cyndi Rademacher - crademac@nileslibrary.org, cyndi.rademacher@nileslibrary.org
Carolyn Drblik - cdrblik@nileslibrary.org, foiarequest.cd@gmail.com
Patti Rozanski - prozansk@nileslibrary.org
Suzanne Schoenfeldt - sschoenf@nileslibrary.org, keeneyqueen@sbcglobal.net
Joe Makula - jmakula@nileslibrary.org, makulajoseph@yahoo.com
Becky Keane - bkeane@nileslibrary.org
Dianne Olson - dolson@nileslibrary.org
Library’s Response
I apologize for the delay in responding to this request. Your request is granted in part and denied in part. Records responsive to your request covering the time period of October 1 through November 8, 2021 are attached. We are running an additional search for responsive records from October 9 through November 16, 2021. And will follow up with an additional response after attorney review.
Certain information has been withheld or redacted pursuant to the sections of FOIA below:
· Section 7(1)(b) of FOIA, Private information, unless disclosure is required by another provision of this Act, a State or federal law or a court order.
· Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA, Personal information contained within public records, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, unless the disclosure is consented to in writing by the individual subjects of the information. "Unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" means the disclosure of information that is highly personal or objectionable to a reasonable person and in which the subject's right to privacy outweighs any legitimate public interest in obtaining the information. The disclosure of information that bears on the public duties of public employees and officials shall not be considered an invasion of personal privacy.
· Section 7(1)(f) of FOIA, Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record shall not be exempt when the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body. The exemption provided in this paragraph (f) extends to all those records of officers and agencies of the General Assembly that pertain to the preparation of legislative documents.
· Section 7(1)(m) of FOIA, (m) Communications between a public body and an attorney or auditor representing the public body that would not be subject to discovery in litigation, and materials prepared or compiled by or for a public body in anticipation of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding upon the request of an attorney advising the public body, and materials prepared or compiled with respect to internal audits of public bodies.
Appeal
You have a right to have this response reviewed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). You can file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 South 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Fax: 217-782-1396
E-mail: publicaccess@atg.state.il.us<mailto:publicaccess@atg.state.il.us>
If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of this letter. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and this letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.
Sincerely,
Cyndi Rademacher
FOIA Officer
Cyndi Rademacher
Executive Director
[cid:c307495a-ad84-451e-9f5d-78c3a43409f8]
6960 Oakton Street, Niles, IL 60714
847-663-6401 |crademac@nileslibrary.org<mailto:crademac@nileslibrary.org>
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Outlook-pvuu0kxi
From: Northwestside Coalition
Hello Cyndi,
Please include dates as originally asked: "between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed". In this case that would be records dated between October 5, 2021 - December 7th, 2021.
Thank you.
From: Niles-maine District Library
December 13, 2021
VIA: E-mail requests@muckrock.com
To whom it may concern,
We receive your Freedom of Information request dated December 8, 2021 stating
Please include dates as originally asked: "between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed". In this case that would be records dated between October 5, 2021 - December 7th, 2021.
for all emails that contain any mention of Steven/Steve Yasell and/or Steve/Stephen Folga between October 5, 2021 and the date this request is processed (inclusive of those dates), sent to or received from (including To, Cc, Bcc fields) these email addresses:
Cyndi Rademacher - crademac@nileslibrary.org, cyndi.rademacher@nileslibrary.org
Carolyn Drblik - cdrblik@nileslibrary.org, foiarequest.cd@gmail.com
Patti Rozanski - prozansk@nileslibrary.org
Suzanne Schoenfeldt - sschoenf@nileslibrary.org, keeneyqueen@sbcglobal.net
Joe Makula - jmakula@nileslibrary.org, makulajoseph@yahoo.com
Becky Keane - bkeane@nileslibrary.org
Dianne Olson - dolson@nileslibrary.org
Library’s Response
I apologize for the delay in responding to this request. Your request is granted in part and denied in part. Records responsive to your request covering the time period through December 8 are attached.
Certain information has been withheld or redacted pursuant to the sections of FOIA below:
· Section 7(1)(b) of FOIA, Private information, unless disclosure is required by another provision of this Act, a State or federal law or a court order.
· Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA, Personal information contained within public records, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, unless the disclosure is consented to in writing by the individual subjects of the information. "Unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" means the disclosure of information that is highly personal or objectionable to a reasonable person and in which the subject's right to privacy outweighs any legitimate public interest in obtaining the information. The disclosure of information that bears on the public duties of public employees and officials shall not be considered an invasion of personal privacy.
· Section 7(1)(f) of FOIA, Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record shall not be exempt when the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body. The exemption provided in this paragraph (f) extends to all those records of officers and agencies of the General Assembly that pertain to the preparation of legislative documents.
· Section 7(1)(m) of FOIA, (m) Communications between a public body and an attorney or auditor representing the public body that would not be subject to discovery in litigation, and materials prepared or compiled by or for a public body in anticipation of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding upon the request of an attorney advising the public body, and materials prepared or compiled with respect to internal audits of public bodies.
Appeal
You have a right to have this response reviewed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). You can file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 South 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Fax: 217-782-1396
E-mail: publicaccess@atg.state.il.us<mailto:publicaccess@atg.state.il.us>
If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of this letter. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and this letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.
Sincerely,
Cyndi Rademacher
FOIA Officer
Cyndi Rademacher
Executive Director
[cid:c307495a-ad84-451e-9f5d-78c3a43409f8]
6960 Oakton Street, Niles, IL 60714
847-663-6401 |crademac@nileslibrary.org<mailto:crademac@nileslibrary.org>
-
Outlook-pvuu0kxi
From: Northwestside Coalition
Hi,
Thanks so much for your help with this request! I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Northwestside Coalition
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