East Central Reporter

We received a series of concerns regarding the community of Yale, Illinois, in Jasper County. As is customary, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted. The initial response to this request confirmed one of the reported issues.

“Hello we have received your request and in process of gathering the info your are requesting. We would like a possible extension simply because it may take a while to get all the payments together for what village has paid to mayor past and present. I have lived here in town for 28 yrs and the acting mayor has always been person that has mowed for village. And we have nothing electronic everything you have requested will be sent via certified mail in paper form. Thank you.”

The involvement of a mayor in providing services to the community raises legal concerns. The "minutes" indicate compensation for mowing services provided by the mayor, which conflicts with Section 3 of the Officers Prohibited Activities Act:

"(50 ILCS 105/3) (from Ch. 102, par. 3) Sec. 3. Prohibited interest in contracts... No person holding any office... may be in any manner financially interested directly... or indirectly..."

Violation of this statute constitutes a Class 4 felony under section 4 of the same act.

An envelope containing some requested information was received, but their response letter hinted at deeper issues within the community:

“Our little village has suffered two big losses this year... While we are doing the best that we know how to do we clearly have fallen short in a couple of the above areas.”

Despite claims that meeting minutes and agendas were included, only partial information was provided, revealing significant issues with record-keeping practices.

Minutes reviewed show inconsistencies such as undocumented votes on bill payments and unclear attendance records at meetings. Some minutes noted canceled meetings where actions were still taken, evidenced by bill payments. There were also instances where public funds were used for private purposes, contrary to state constitutional requirements.

Records show $12,975 paid to the mayor for mowing from June 15, 2020, to April 15, 2024; another $16,722.50 from October 10, 2016, to November 21, 2022; totaling $29,697.50 over eight years.

Additionally notable was a check written in 2019 for $200 to Patchet Flying Service and another $900 payment noted on June 15, 2024 minutes for mosquito spraying—raising questions about why flying services would be needed by this small village.

The FOIA request triggered compliance with required training under the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act shortly after its submission on October 22, 2024.

There were no records indicating who held the position of FOIA officer despite recent family appointments filling vacancies without documented votes or agenda mentions.

Further inquiries will continue as efforts are made to obtain answers on these matters.