Publications & Sites 
Board chooses not to destroy meeting recordings
Updated: November 19, 2012 1:33AM
LINCOLNWOOD — Public commentary referring to an ongoing criminal investigation by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office resulted in a refusal by the Lincolnwood School District 74 Board of Education to act on a routine matter to destroy verbatim records.
Lincolnwood resident Paul Eisterhold addressed the school board at its Sept. 6 meeting to “strongly recommend” the district keep all executive-meeting recordings for the time being since text versions may not be verbatim.
“With the situation being with the state’s attorney and the school board, I would suggest any documents such as recordings and all be retained until the state’s attorney finishes their work,” he said.
Later, when Board President Scott Anderson asked for a motion to destroy recordings of closed-session meetings held prior to Jan. 1, 2011, for which approved minutes already exist, board members stayed silent.
School officials announced in early May an investigation by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office after retaining the legal services of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.
On Monday Anthony Ficarelli, a school-law partner with the firm, said the investigation is pending and that both sides continue to review documents.
Since a hold is typically placed on all records from being destroyed during investigations, board practices considered routine could be impacted, Ficarelli noted.
The nature of the investigation is not being disclosed.
