Freedom of Information Policy
Kendall County SWCD
Attn: Julie Brown, FOIA Officer
7775A Route 47
Yorkville, IL 60560
The Kendall County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) was charted by the State of Illinois on June 2, 1947, as a public body corporate and politic in accordance with the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Act (70 ILCS 405). As such, the Kendall County SWCD is required to implement the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140) and the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120).
The Kendall County SWCD believes that an open and honest government is essential to American democracy, and it can only be achieved through the free exchange of information between the government and its citizens. The Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act are critical tools in shining light on government action, and ultimately strengthening our democracy. (adapted from “A Message from the Attorney General” Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, State of Illinois, September 2004.)
Description of the Kendall County SWCD
Purpose: The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest to provide:
- for the conservation of the soil, soil resources, water and water resources of the State,
- for the control and prevention of soil erosion,
- for the prevention of air and water pollution, and
- for the prevention of erosion, floodwater and sediment damaged, and thereby to conserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, conserve wildlife and forests, protect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this State.
Budget: The Kendall County SWCD operating budget for FY24 is $204,230.00. Funding sources include grants, sales of materials and services and donations.
Location: The Kendall County SWCD is located as 7775A Route 47, Yorkville, Illinois
Board of Directors: The Directors (listed above) exercise control over the Kendall County SWCD polices and procedures at regularly scheduled board meetings held on the 2nd Monday of each month, excluding the months of May and October due to planting season and harvest.
Reporting: The Kendall County SWCD is required to report and be answerable for operations to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois.
Request for Information forms should be directed to a Kendall County SWCD staff member between 8:00am and 4:00pm at the Kendall County SWCD Office or mailed to Kendall County SWCD, Attn: Julie Brown, FOIA Officer, 7775A Route 47, Yorkville, IL 60560 (located within the Yorkville Field Office, United States Department of Agriculture Service Center, Natural Resource Conservation Service office).
Records may be either inspected in-house or copied for later viewing. If records are being inspected, a Kendall County SWCD employee must be present throughout the inspection.
A copying fee is may be incurred when copies of records are requested. Fees should be paid in full prior to receiving the records requested. See fee schedule on Request of Information form.
Once a Request for Information is received, the Kendall County SWCD will respond within five (5) working days. Under extraordinary circumstances, an extension of an additional five (5) days may be necessary to properly respond. The requesting party will be notified in this event.
The requesting party may appeal the decision of the FOIA officer. A written notice of appeal should be directed to the Kendall County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors.
Types of Information: Certain types of information maintained by the Kendall County SWCD are exempt from inspection and copying. However, the following types or categories of records are maintained under the Kendall County SWCD’s control:
* Monthly Financial Statements, Budget, Audits, Annual Receipts and Disbursement Reports
* Minutes of Kendall County SWCD Board of Director open meetings
* Policies
* Annual reports
Issued by: Kendall County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors
Julie Brown
Administrative Coordinator/FOIA Officer
Kendall County SWCD
Date revised: June 15, 2023