Govt job evals kept secret by House vote

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House voted Thursday to keep evaluations of public employees private, barring them from being released to the public. The proposal, which now goes to the Illinois Senate for consideration, follows lawmakers’ previous push to similarly exempt teacher evaluations from public disclosure.

Last year, state lawmakers approved sweeping changes to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The changes generally make it easier, cheaper and faster to get government information. But those changes, heralded by Gov. Pat Quinn and others, have quickly be targeted by lawmakers and local government groups. An array of legislation has been proposed to scale back the changes.

The plan to keep all evaluations private was sponsored by state Rep. Linda
Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat. It was approved 70-39. Here’s how suburban lawmakers voted.

Suburban representatives voting “yes”:
Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Palatine Republican
Linda Chapa LaVia, Aurora Democrat
Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican
Paul Froehlich, Schaumburg Democrat
Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican
Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat
Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican
Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican
Eddie Washington, Waukegan Democrat

Suburban representatives voting “no”:
Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills Republican
Robert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst Republican
Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican
Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican
Michael Connelly, Lisle Republican
Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat
Tom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader)
Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat
Jack D. Franks, Woodstock Democrat
Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican
Emily McAsey, Lockport Democrat
Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican
JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican
Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican
Timothy L. Schmitz, Batavia Republican
Carol Sente, Vernon Hills Democrat
Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein Republican
Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican
Mark Walker, Arlington Heights Democrat

Not voting:
Randy Ramey, Carol Stream Republican
Darlene Senger, Naperville Republican

Source: HB 5154 roll call