Freedom of Information Act
Pursuant to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of government, it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees consistent with the terms of this Act. Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest.- Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS140/1.
Under the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of information Act, the College has five days to respond to respond after the request is received. A business day is considered any Monday through Friday (non-summer hours) or Monday through Thursday (summer hours) when the campus business office is open.
The College reserves the right for reimbursement of material duplication costs as defined by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6).
Download FOIA Information Request Form (PDF)
Morton College complies with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1.
Freedom of Information Act Officer/Procedures/Charges
Morton College complies with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1. Under Illinois law, FOIA officers are appointed by a public body to receive FOIA requests and to respond in compliance with the FOIA statute.
Morton College’s FOIA officer is:
Murneka Davis
Chief Human Resources Officer
Morton College
3801 S. Central Avenue
Cicero, IL 60804
FOIA@morton.edu
About Morton College District 527
Morton College is the second oldest community college in Illinois. Morton was founded in 1924 to meet the educational demands in the growing communities of Berwyn, Cicero, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney, and other near-western suburbs. Morton College is part of the Community College District 527, one of 39 community colleges in Illinois and is governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees.
Morton College District 527 Board of Trustees
The Morton College Board of Trustees is comprised of seven publicly elected trustees and one non-voting student trustee, representing Community College District 527. The Board is the final authority over Morton College and is responsible for the development and adoption of Morton College’s policies, oversight of the activities of the College, and exercises jurisdiction in all matters of the College and its mission.
Chair: Leonard Cannata
Vice- Chair: Anthony Martinucci
Secretary: Jose Collazo
Trustee: Charles Hernandez
Trustee: Susan Grazzini
Trustee: Oscar Montiel
Trustee: Frances Reitz
Student Trustee: Elected every school year
How to Make a Freedom of Information Act Request
Please send Freedom of Information requests to FOIA@morton.edu, or mail to: Murneka Davis/FOIA at the address listed above. A FOIA form can be found below.
In accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (Public Act 096-0542), Morton College will assess the following fees for Freedom of Information Act requests:
No fees will be charged for the first 50 pages of black and white copies on letter or legal-size paper. After the first 50 pages of any requested documents, a fee of 15 cents per page will be charged for each additional black/white photocopy. Any color copy and a copy in a size other than letter or legal, will cost $1 per copy. No fee will be charged for electronic copies other than the actual cost of the recording medium, for example the cost of any disc, diskette, tape, flash drive or other medium or device used to store and deliver electronic records.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) general information/Frequently Asked Questions
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An Illinois law that provides public access to government documents and records.
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All public bodies in Illinois
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Anyone. Any person, group, association, corporation, firm, partnership or organization has the right to file a FOIA request with any state or local public body.
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Five business days, starting the day after the public body receives the request. That period may be extended for an additional five business days under certain circumstances detailed in the statute.
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Yes.
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Requests should be written and include the requester’s name, address, date, and a daytime phone number so that the public body can contact the requester with any questions. Making the request as specific as possible will expedite the search process.
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There are several exceptions to public disclosure that include but are not limited to:
Private information, such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, personal financial information and other “unique identifiers;”
Personal information that if disclosed would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy; law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with a pending or reasonably contemplated proceeding;
Preliminary drafts or notes in which opinions are expressed or policies are formulated;
Business trade secrets; proposals and bids for any contracts until a final selection is made; requests that are “unduly burdensome.”
Documents or Categories of Records that Morton College will immediately disclose upon request: * (Items below are Web-posted)
Summary of Annual Budget Summary of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Board of Trustees Policies*
Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule*
Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda*
Approved Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes from Open Sessions (for the preceding 12 months)*
Public Notice of Each Board meeting, posted at least 48 hours in advance of each meeting*
Board of Trustee Committee Appointments*
Annual School Calendar (See College Catalog) Categories of the District’s public records maintained by District 527 The records maintained by District 527 includes, but may not necessarily be limited to, the following categories*:
Budget Operating Budget Non-Operating Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report Administrative materials and procedural rules
Board of Trustee policies and final documents explaining or interpreting such policies
Final reports and studies prepared by or for the District Information concerning expenditures of public funds, unless otherwise exempt from disclosure under FOIA
Minutes of Board of Trustee meetings open to the public Information concerning grants or contracts made by the district, unless otherwise exempt from disclosure under FOIA
All other information required by law to be made available for public inspection and copying.
Additional information in accordance with Public Act 096-0542 (FOIA)