2016 – Page 2 – CU-CitizenAccess.org

Ambar India on Oct. 16, 2016.

Champaign County nursing home among 18 food spots to fail health inspections

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 24, 2016
Post category:Food

A moldy ice chute, food preparation areas with pesticides stored above them and storage coolers occupied by houseflies and moths were among the worst violations leading to closures and failures of eateries across the county since July. In total, 18 establishments were closed or failed inspections for serious health code violations between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to a review of inspection records.

Read more about the article County says plan to repair, replace buildings will cost median household $20 per year

Darrell Hoemann/CU-Citizen Access

The Champaign County Nursing Home on Monday, October 17, 2016.

County says plan to repair, replace buildings will cost median household $20 per year

Post author:Lauren Eiden / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:October 21, 2016
Post category:Government

Champaign County officials say they are facing a host of critical repairs and improvements that need to be made at county buildings but have been deferred for years. In response, they have proposed a 0.25 percent sales tax referendum they say will cost a median-income household only $20 per year.

Read more about the article Champaign targets certain neighborhoods for demolition

Darrell Hoemann/CU Citizen-Access

The homes at 1526, 1528 and 1530 Hedge Road, seen here on September 20, are on Champaign's list of vacant structures being monitored by city staff.

Champaign targets certain neighborhoods for demolition

Post author:Jelter Meers / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:October 19, 2016
Post category:Housing

These houses make up about 5 percent of vacant houses citywide, but represent the worst of the worst, officials said. Those are houses with repeated code violations, safety issues or are home to criminal activity. The monitored homes are largely located in more troubled neighborhoods because city staff closely monitors those areas.

Want to get information from your government? Here’s how

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 18, 2016
Post category:Government

If you want to watchdog your local or state government, using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act is one of the best ways to go. So CU-CitizenAccess.org is offering how-to guides on how to file effective Freedom of Information requests.

A primer on the Freedom of Information Act

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 13, 2016
Post category:FOIA Special (FOIA)

This page is a guide to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, with basic information about what the law entails. You can read the entire law here. If you have additional questions about the Freedom of Information Act, check out this helpful “Frequently Asked Questions” compiled by the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

FOIA guide: University of Illinois

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 13, 2016
Post category:Uncategorized

The University of Illinois almost always takes its allowed five business days to respond to a Freedom of Information Request and frequently asks for an extension of five days because of the sheer amount of volume of Freedom of Information requests.

FOIA Guide: Sample letter

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 13, 2016
Post category:Uncategorized

Here's a sample FOIA letter to help you get started filing Freedom of Information Act requests.

FOIA guide: Local law enforcement

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 13, 2016
Post category:Uncategorized

There are four departments that work to police the Champaign-Urbana community. When requesting information, it is often beneficial to get the same data from each department in order to get the full picture

FOIA Guide: Municipal and city governments

Post author:Johnathan Hettinger
Post published:October 13, 2016
Post category:Uncategorized

Look here for help for filing Freedom of Information Act requests with Champaign County, City of Champaign and City of Urbana.

Screenshot of a response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the University of Illinois to a requester.

Watchdog Training: Using FOIAs to get information you want

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:September 27, 2016
Post category:Events

In this free, two-hour session, learn how to keep an eye on government and find out what's happening in your community. Learn the ins and outs of the Freedom of Information Act and how to get the documents you want from your government. Register today!