Update (April 14, 2025, 6:14 AM):
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Mr. Recklaus received a $10,000 annual bonus. This is not accurate. Mr. Recklaus received a one-time $10,000 bonus, not a recurring annual bonus. The article has been corrected to reflect this.
As a reporter covering local government in Arlington Heights, I recently found myself caught in a situation that speaks volumes about how transparency is handled in the Village, and how often it isn’t.
While preparing a public records request through the Village’s online FOIA portal on behalf of Northwest Central Pulse LLC, I encountered two specific fields: one labeled “Company” and another labeled “Commercial Request.” I entered the company name as expected, but I was, and still am, uncertain about what, if anything, is supposed to go into the “Commercial Request” field.
To avoid submitting the request incorrectly, I first called the Village Clerk’s office to ask for clarification. When no one returned my call, I followed up with an email. Neither attempt received a response.
That outreach wasn’t unsolicited. Village Clerk Rebecca Hume had previously advised me to use the Village’s FOIA portal rather than submitting requests via email. I followed her suggestion and incorporated the portal into my regular practice. So when a question came up while using the system the Village directed me to, I reasonably expected a clear answer.
When the Clerk’s office failed to respond, I contacted Village Manager Randall Recklaus. His reply made it clear that the Village would not provide any further clarification, stating that they are not obligated to respond beyond what is legally required. But whether that assertion is accurate remains questionable. Providing guidance on how to correctly use a public-facing FOIA submission system, especially one the Village actively encourages requesters to use, may well fall within the broader obligations of accessibility and transparency under Illinois FOIA law.
Despite the lack of support, I submitted the FOIA request through the portal. However, I continue to seek clarification on the “Commercial Request” field in hopes of avoiding future confusion, for myself or for anyone else attempting to use the system. My goal is simple: to ensure FOIA requests are submitted correctly, so they are processed efficiently and without unnecessary delays or complications.
When public officials decline to explain how their own submission forms work, it raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and access to public records.
This comes amid broader concerns about oversight in Arlington Heights. Under Mr. Recklaus’ leadership, the Village has reportedly lost over $1 million in tax revenue due to administrative failures. Despite this, Recklaus continues to receive above-average salary increases, a one-time $10,000 bonus, and a $600 monthly car allowance.
Currently, two reviews are pending with the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) office. Both challenge how the Village has classified and responded to FOIA requests submitted by Northwest Central Pulse LLC. These reviews may further test whether the Village’s approach aligns with the principles of fairness, clarity, and openness that Illinois FOIA law is meant to uphold.
