The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure (for example: records containing personal private information).
The FOIA provides access to all “agency records”, except those which are specifically exempted within the Act. Exemptions are listed in Section 7 of the FOIA.
Pursuant to Section 5 of FOIA, the Association maintains a reasonably current list of all types of categories of records under its control. The types and categories of records are as follows:
- Board Meeting records
- Resolutions
- Policies
- Correspondence
- Accounting Records
- Payroll Records
Immediately available records
Section 3.5(a) of the act requires the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association to make available a list of documents or categories of records that can be disclosed immediately upon request. The items listed below constitute many but not all of the records that are immediately available.
Board Meeting Minutes (online – dated to April 2020)
Annual Financial Report/Audit (online – dated to 2015)
How do I submit a FOIA request?
FOIA requires that requests for inspection or copies be made in writing and directed to LWSRA. Written requests may be submitted in a variety of forms including personal delivery, regular mail, fax or “other means available to the public body.” Any request must be immediately forwarded to the FOIA officer or designee. When making a written request, be as specific as you can regarding the information you are requesting and be sure to include a phone number and return address. All requests should be directed to the LWSRA FOIA Officer.
LWSRA has designated the below Freedom of Information Officers. They may be reached by telephone at (815) 320-3500, via email at foia@lwsra.org and/or in writing at 1900 Heather Glen Dr, New Lenox, IL 60451.
Primary Officer:
Tom Krauss, Office Manager
Secondary Officers by Department:
Executive Services: Keith Wallace, Executive Director
Recreation Department: Melissa Jensen, Superintendent of Recreation
How do I appeal a denial?
In the event of a denial, you may either file a Request for Review with the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC), or file a lawsuit in court.
For complete information, contact PAC at:
Leah Bartelt, Public Access Counselor
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
500 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62701
publicaccess@atg.state.il.us
877-299-3642
Information
Since 1976, the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) has provided recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with its eight-member park districts: Crete, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone and Wilmington Park Districts. Participants enjoy active, healthy and more independent lifestyles through a variety of recreational and social opportunities.
LWSRA operates out of one location with offices located at the Lincolnway Special Recreation Center, 1900 Heather Glen Drive in New Lenox, Illinois. The association employs eight full-time employees and 75 part-time/seasonal employees.
The association is governed by the LWSRA Board of Directors, which consists of the Executive Directors or representative from each of its eight-member park districts.
Annual Operating Budget FY25
Fiscal Year Calendar:
June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025
Revenues:
$2,281,125.59
Expenditures:
$2,231,965.57
Reserve Contribution: $49,160.02
Current Board of Directors
Frankfort Square Park District – Audrey Marcquenski – President
Mokena Community Park District – Greg Vitale, Vice-President
New Lenox Community Park District – Greg Lewis, 2nd Vice-President/Treasurer
Peotone Park District – Kelly LaMore, Secretary
Crete Park District – Renee Chavez
Frankfort Park District – Gina Hassett
Manhattan Park District – Jay Kelly
Wilmington Park District – Kirsten Van Duyne