Superintendent Matthew Montgomery’s Administration Caught Violating FOIA Law
- Parents Care
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 4
After 17 months, we finally received justice on behalf of the community: The Illinois Attorney General has confirmed what parents have long suspected: Superintendent Matthew Montgomery’s administration violated the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
This wasn’t a technical mistake. It was a deliberate misuse of exemptions to withhold public records.
Not Just One Violation — A Pattern of Abuse
In its ruling, the PAC ordered the District to release records it had improperly hidden. That means Montgomery’s administration was caught violating the law.
As Parents Care President Jeff Brincat told District leaders:
“A public and neutral arbiter has found that the district improperly cited exemptions from FOIA, and you violated the law. The Board has dictated that the district should comply with the spirit and letter of FOIA and you have been found to fail these critical responsibilities of public agency. This is (and should be) a cause for great embarrassment to you, the administration and your school board.”
This is not an isolated incident.
How many other times has this administration improperly abused FOIA?
How often have they hidden information, counting on parents not to push back?
How many violations have gone unchallenged, swept under the rug because most families don’t have the time or resources to fight back?
How many times has this happened?
Tone-Deaf Arrogance
Instead of apologizing or expressing contrition for violating the law, after Parents Care spent 17 months fighting for documents the PAC concluded should be disclosed, District leaders downplayed the ruling.
FOIA Officer Elizabeth Carswell brushed it off as if the PAC’s decision were minor, writing:
“The PAC upheld the majority of the District's exemptions and redactions. It did recommend that certain limited portions be unredacted and shared with you.”
This is patently false, as nearly half of the PAC’s decisions ruled against the district.
Board President Jeff Brincat replied:
“The tone and brinksmanship cited in your email illustrates that you and the district fail to understand the true nature of FOIA; that all documents are public unless narrowed by specific defined exemptions. You have this entirely upside down.”
The Bigger Picture: Superintendent Matthew Montgomery's Administration Was Caught Violating FOIA Law; How Many Times Has This Happened?
This is not just about one FOIA request. It is about a pattern and practice of secrecy.
District 67’s leadership regularly touts “transparency” to the community. But this ruling proves that’s a farce. They are not committed to openness. They are committed to concealment.
And that should alarm every parent. If the administration is willing to violate the law to hide public records, what else are they hiding? How many other parents have been denied information they had every right to see, simply because the District counted on no one challenging their lawyers?
This isn’t only about documents. It’s about trust. We entrust this administration with our children every single day. If they cannot be trusted with the law, how can they be trusted with our kids?
Bottom line: Superintendent Matthew Montgomery’s administration has been caught violating the law. The real question is:
Superintendent Matthew Montgomery's Administration Was Caught Violating FOIA Law, But How Many Times Has This Happened Before?
A Call to Parents
This is our moment. We cannot let secrecy remain the status quo. Every violation of FOIA is not just a paperwork issue — it’s a betrayal of the community.
👉 It’s time to demand accountability, we call on the District 67 and 115 Boards to hold the administration accountable for their violations of Illinois and Federal law!