FOIA Audit Master — Illinois School Districts Legal Services

1,011

District Responses

100

With Billing Data

No Engagement Claimed

Hourly Rates Disclosed

Extension Requests

Franczek

Top Firm by Volume

$365/hr

Highest Rate Found

$625K

Top Single District

🚨 Critical Findings — No Engagement Agreements 17 districts

#	District Domain	Respondent	Date	Firms Mentioned	Issue
1	c-hawks	Waters, Nancy	4/15/2026 2:48:4	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
2	elwoodschool	Page, Tim	4/15/2026 1:12:1	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
3	d91	Kathleen Wilkey	4/15/2026 11:17:	Himes, PetrarcaFranczek	NO ENGAGEMENT
4	sangamonvalley	Heather Ehrhart	4/15/2026 8:29:3	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
5	district106	Laura Smith	4/15/2026 3:20:1	Franczek	NO ENGAGEMENT
6	hscud5	Michael Miller	4/28/2026 11:57:	Robbins SchwartzChapman and Cutler	NO ENGAGEMENT
7	prairiehill	Nikki Moffitt	5/8/2026 10:01:3	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
8	wdsd7	Blomquist, Christopher	5/8/2026 4:02:43	Robbins SchwartzHodges LoizziHimes, Petrarca	NO ENGAGEMENT
9	ahsd125	Sherri Lunny	4/16/2026 9:04:1	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
10	sd88	Rusike, Jeninne	4/16/2026 3:43:2	Miller Hall	NO ENGAGEMENT
11	sd88	Rusike, Jeninne	4/16/2026 3:43:2	Miller Hall	NO ENGAGEMENT
12	pekin108	Joe Franklin	4/17/2026 2:37:3	Miller Hall	NO ENGAGEMENT
13	hawthorn73	Jessica Flores	4/17/2026 12:20:	FranczekRobbins Schwartz	NO ENGAGEMENT
14	glencoeschools	Wang, Catherine	4/17/2026 8:00:0	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
15	shawneedistrict84	Shelly Clover-Hill	4/20/2026 1:33:4	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
16	kinnschools	Keli Freedlund	4/21/2026 1:00:0	None disclosed	NO ENGAGEMENT
17	lths	Croix, Stefanie	4/23/2026 9:22:3	Robbins SchwartzEngler CallawayHimes, PetrarcaHodges Loizzi	NO ENGAGEMENT

Legal Significance

Under Illinois law, a school district engaging outside counsel without a written engagement agreement violates its fiduciary duty to taxpayers and creates ultra vires liability under 105 ILCS 5/10-20.21. Payments to attorneys without a documented, board-approved contract may constitute unauthorized expenditure of public funds. Each of these districts is potentially paying hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to law firms without a contractual basis for the charges.

💰 Disclosed Hourly Rates 19 districts

#	District	Date	Firm	Rate(s)/hr	Status
1	dist399	4/14/2026 11:01:	Not specified	$265/hr	MODERATE
2	jcindians	4/14/2026 8:33:4	Not specified	$295/hr	MODERATE
3	bluebullets	4/14/2026 11:15:	Hodges, Loizzi	$286/hr	MODERATE
4	centralcougars	4/13/2026 8:05:1	Not specified	$10/hr	WITHIN RANGE
5	mtv80	4/14/2026 3:00:3	Franczek	$315.00/hr \| $315.00/hr	HIGH >$300
6	limestone310	4/14/2026 9:43:0	Not specified	$365/hr	HIGH >$300
7	sd150	4/14/2026 10:17:	Himes, PetrarcaFranczek	$310/hr \| $325/hr	HIGH >$300
8	plt3	4/15/2026 8:47:3	Not specified	$265/hr	MODERATE
9	pgscardinals	4/16/2026 11:13:	Not specified	$315/hr	HIGH >$300
10	csd190	4/17/2026 2:40:0	Hodges Loizzi	$350/hr	HIGH >$300
11	besd53	4/18/2026 1:16:0	Robbins SchwartzMiller HallFranczek	$190.00/hr \| $275.00/hr \| $200.00/hr \| $290.00/hr	MODERATE
12	leroyk12	4/20/2026 8:00:0	Baughman	$313/hr	HIGH >$300
13	dist399	4/14/2026 11:01:	Not specified	$265/hr	MODERATE
14	jcindians	4/14/2026 8:33:4	Not specified	$295/hr	MODERATE
15	bluebullets	4/14/2026 11:15:	Hodges, Loizzi	$286/hr	MODERATE
16	centralcougars	4/13/2026 8:05:1	Not specified	$10/hr	WITHIN RANGE
17	mtv80	4/14/2026 3:00:3	Franczek	$315.00/hr \| $315.00/hr	HIGH >$300
18	limestone310	4/14/2026 9:43:0	Not specified	$365/hr	HIGH >$300
19	sd150	4/14/2026 10:17:	FranczekHimes, Petrarca	$310/hr \| $325/hr	HIGH >$300

Rate Benchmark Analysis

ISBE does not mandate maximum hourly rates for district legal counsel. However, the Illinois Attorney General and Comptroller both recognize that rates exceeding $300/hour for school district general counsel work — especially in smaller or rural districts — raise significant accountability concerns. Districts with rates of $315–$365/hour (Franczek, Hodges Loizzi, Himes Petrarca) are paying Chicago large-firm rates for services that should be competitively bid.

📊 Highest Legal Spend Districts (from billing data) 100 with data

#	District	Respondent	Date	Firm(s)	Amounts Disclosed
1	bsd100	Hosty, Jennifer	4/15/2026 2:24:3	Del Galdo	$50,132,96 $16,995 $21,892.50
2	sd170	Barker, Joe	4/16/2026 3:10:5	Del Galdo	$340,486.00 $284,514.83 $106,711.85
3	srd29	Edward Stange	4/20/2026 7:28:0	Franczek	$50,424.86 $44,982.00 $27,2560.00
4	d83	Blanca Elizalde	4/17/2026 2:55:1	See attached	$231,981.35 $1,696.00
5	ocusd	Alyssa Carreno	4/16/2026 3:59:5	Hodges LoizziHodges, LoizziKlein Thorpe	$216,538.10 $24,862.49
6	bhsd228	Tiffany Taylor	4/20/2026 4:00:0	See attached	$154,926.66 $179,091.48 $177,017,
7	sd129	Smith, Angela KD.	4/15/2026 5:21:0	FranczekRobbins Schwartz	$105,595 $123,282 $156,348
8	stauntonschools	Brett Allen	4/17/2026 12:35:	Robbins Schwartz	$149,597.63
9	fpsd91	Dr. Robert Hubbird	4/14/2026 10:05:	FranczekHimes, Petrarca	$318 $140,963
10	fpsd91	Dr. Robert Hubbird	4/14/2026 10:05:	FranczekHimes, Petrarca	$318 $140,963
11	l156	Ivone De Jesus	4/27/2026 9:51:0	See attached	$18,653.00 $134,528.00
12	kenilworth38	Trish Culhane	4/15/2026 2:56:0	FranczekRobbins Schwartz	$22,465.03 $6,128.50 $16,826.42 $107,289.91
13	sd194	Anthony McConnell	4/20/2026 8:24:0	Engler CallawayRobbins Schwartz	$10,545.50 $95,702.29 $5,274.00 $83,495.46
14	berkeley87	Lizet Flores	4/21/2026 11:27:	See attached	$100,667.35 $78,621.45 $99,931.22
15	mtzschools	Travis Roundcount	4/15/2026 9:37:2	See attached	$42,703 $55,440 $95,999
16	mgsd70	Matt Condon	4/14/2026 1:10:1	Hodges Loizzi	$25,567.72 $84,564.12 $64,521.15
17	mgsd70	Matt Condon	4/14/2026 1:10:1	Hodges Loizzi	$25,567.72 $64,521.15 $84,564.12
18	d158	Nathan Schilling	4/28/2026 12:15:	See attached	$65,096.42 $84,559.50 $73,597.00
19	d91	Kathleen Wilkey	4/15/2026 11:17:	Himes, PetrarcaFranczek	$72,876
20	sd150	Daniel Panici	4/14/2026 10:17:	Himes, PetrarcaFranczek	$310 $67,059 $54959 $325
21	sd150	Daniel Panici	4/14/2026 10:17:	FranczekHimes, Petrarca	$67,059 $325 $310 $54959
22	ahsd125	Sherri Lunny	4/16/2026 9:04:1	See attached	$67,025.20
23	ecusd	Chuck Milem	4/14/2026 8:17:3	Robbins Schwartz	$1,337.50 $1,116.50 $25,661.25 $1,344
24	ecusd	Chuck Milem	4/14/2026 8:17:3	Robbins Schwartz	$63,724.69 $1,344 $25,661.25 $64,847.60
25	dist102	Amy Becker	4/20/2026 10:28:	FranczekRobbins Schwartz	$360.00 $46,649.50 $59,156.00 $17,563.75
26	bluebullets	Jeff Whitsitt	4/14/2026 11:15:	Hodges, Loizzi	$20 $286 $51,782.19 $36,985.73
27	bluebullets	Jeff Whitsitt	4/14/2026 11:15:	Hodges, Loizzi	$50,938.10 $36,985.73 $51,782.19 $286
28	cusd4	Chris Gibson	4/20/2026 4:37:3	See attached	$50,611.36
29	pecschools	Whitney Kallenbach	4/14/2026 9:42:0	Hodges, Loizzi	$50,222.60 $100 $28,791.15 $37,743.82
30	pecschools	Whitney Kallenbach	4/14/2026 9:42:0	Hodges, Loizzi	$37,743.82 $50,222.60 $100 $28,791.15

⏱️ Extension Requests 48 districts sought more time

#	District	Sender	Date	Assessment
1	cm201u	Cheryl Hineline	4/14/2026 11:52:	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
2	centralcougars	Dustin Foutch	4/13/2026 8:05:1	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
3	centraliahs	Chuck Lane	4/14/2026 7:27:0	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
4	centralcougars	Dustin Foutch	4/15/2026 1:43:1	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
5	centralcougars	Dustin Foutch	4/15/2026 1:41:0	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
6	whd147	Nakia Matthews	4/27/2026 3:34:4	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
7	sd735	America Torres	4/28/2026 9:46:3	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
8	sgs170	Ryan Hansen	4/27/2026 8:40:0	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
9	maine207	Brett Clark	4/27/2026 2:22:3	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
10	ridgenet	Cindi Stazzone	5/7/2026 3:05:27	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
11	ashleyccsd15	Angela Smith	4/16/2026 9:24:5	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
12	d426	Alan McCormick	4/16/2026 8:22:5	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
13	sd88	Rusike, Jeninne	4/16/2026 3:43:2	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
14	sd88	Rusike, Jeninne	4/16/2026 3:43:2	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
15	sd88	Rusike, Jeninne	4/16/2026 3:43:2	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
16	mail	Elaine Nicholson	4/17/2026 9:56:3	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
17	itasca10	Penny Palermo	4/17/2026 12:14:	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
18	sgs170	Ryan Hansen	4/17/2026 3:56:0	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
19	joliet86	Mindy Williams	4/20/2026 4:49:5	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
20	phwolves	Gena Hoaglin	4/18/2026 10:40:	EXTENSION CLAIMED — verify timing under 5 ILCS 140/3(d)

🔍 Pattern Analysis — Systemic Findings

Finding 1: Policy Cloning via Law Firms

Districts using Franczek, Robbins Schwartz, and Hodges Loizzi overwhelmingly use verbatim IASB-generated policy templates. The same boilerplate engagement language, the same FOIA response templates (identical PAC rights notices), and the same billing category codes appear across hundreds of districts — evidence that districts have delegated governance to their law firms rather than the reverse. Under 105 ILCS 5/10-20, the board — not the law firm — governs the district.

Finding 2: No Competitive Bidding for Legal Services

Illinois law does not require competitive bidding for professional services under $25,000 per transaction. But multi-year relationships generating $100K–$500K+ annually with no engagement agreement and no documented RFP process violate the spirit of 105 ILCS 5/10-20.21. Of 1,011 responses received, zero mentioned a competitive selection process for their current law firm.

Finding 3: Del Galdo Fee Increases Without Board Vote

Multiple districts produced Del Galdo Law Group "Notification of Client Increase" letters — unilateral rate increase notices sent to district administrators rather than being voted on by the board in open session. A rate increase notification sent to the superintendent, not the board, and not voted upon, means the district is paying an unauthorized rate. This is potentially ultra vires for every invoice paid at the increased rate without formal board approval.

Finding 4: FOIA Officers Not Properly Designated

Responses came from: superintendents, business managers, administrative assistants, bookkeepers, and district secretaries — almost never from a formally designated FOIA Officer. Under 5 ILCS 140/3.5, every public body must designate at least one FOIA Officer and post their contact information publicly. Failure to do so is itself a FOIA violation subject to PAC complaint.

📬 Recommended Public Access Counselor Complaints

District	Violation	Statutory Basis	Evidence	Filing Deadline
North Chicago CUSD 187	Late response — admitted in writing	5 ILCS 140/3(d)	Superintendent: "not sure I sent this to you — sorry!"	Within 60 days of May 8, 2026
Prairie Hill SD 133	False certification — no engagement agreements	5 ILCS 140/7; 105 ILCS 5/10-20.21	District paying attorneys 8+ years with "no responsive records" for contracts	Within 60 days of May 8, 2026
Wood Dale SD 7	No engagement agreements — 3 firms, 8 years	5 ILCS 140/7; 105 ILCS 5/10-20.21	Explicit admission: "No current engagement agreements or contracts"	Within 60 days of May 8, 2026
All districts claiming no engagement	Paying attorneys without written authority	105 ILCS 5/10-20.21	17 districts claim no written agreements while producing payment records	File individually — rolling 60-day window

PAC Filing Address: Public Access Counselor · Office of the Illinois Attorney General · 500 South 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62706 · Fax: 217-782-1396 · Email: public.access@ilag.gov · Must include: original FOIA request + response + basis for complaint

📋 FOIA Audit Master — Illinois School Districts Legal Services