By: Diane Benjamin
See this story from yesterday: http://blnnews.com/2015/08/11/more-that-stanford-needs-to-explain/
The Allin Township Fire Protection District has the right to bill out of district victims for any assistance provided, like vehicle accidents requiring EMT services. Illinois law states that an ordinance must be on file allowing these billings.
I filed the following Freedom of Information Request to get more information:
To: McGrath Law Office P.C. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 1:01 PM
Subject: FOIA request
List of all billings by the Allin Township Fire Protection District for “responder charges” to out of district victims, calendar years 2013 and 2014-include name, address, amount billed and whether payment was received for the amount billedEmails between Scott Eidenmiller and Josh Deterding between Nov 1, 2014 and Nov 30, 2014.Emails between Scott Eidenmiller and any Trustee from 1/1/2015 – 5/31/2015
See what I received here: ATFPD BlnNews 72715 Response
First, all the billings before the ordinance was legally passed and signed can not be enforced. If an insurance company requested a copy of the ordinance before payment was made, and no ordinance existed, the insurance companies and victims could not be forced to pay.
If the ordinance was “back-dated”, is this the reason? Was Scott Eidenmiller and Mick Owens attempting to justify charges and assure bills could be collected?
One more note:
Yesterday I posted 3 emails dated 11/3/2014. My FOIA request lists emails between Eidenmiller and Deterding covering 11/3/2014. They were not received. I wonder if McGrath Law firm realizes it is illegal to withhold information requested under the Freedom of Information Act?
Most FOIA requests I file is for information I know exists. When what is requested isn’t provided, trust doesn’t exist. I sent another email on August 10, 2015 suggesting they look for additional emails. There has been no response so far.
The crooks are everywhere!
I can see where they MIGHT not want to tell you this information Diane, as that’s where they are going to get the $$$ for THEIR water plant-NOT the $5 they tell the poor citizens. Just like years back WHEN Bloomington had the fire/rescue AND Lifeline ambulance! If you went in the BLM ambulance it was free or nominal, but Lifeline billed you $750 for cab fare to Bro-menn-roughly $100 per mile!!!
I don’t really care why they won’t give me information. It’s still against the law!
Being trustworthy requires a moral compass.