(A) The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 140 et seq.), as supplemented and amended since its effective date of July 1, 1984, requires all public bodies in the state to make non-exempt public records available for inspection and copying. The Village of Shiloh not only strives to comply with the law, but also fully endorses the fundamental concept that all persons are entitled to full, accurate, and complete information regarding the affairs of the Village and the official acts and policies adopted by Village officials and public employees. The Village of Shiloh recognizes that its desire for the active and informed participation of its citizens in the public policy process necessitates as full and as free an access to this information as possible. In determining the parameters of public access to information, the Village of Shiloh also understands its obligations to protect legitimate privacy interests and maintain the efficiency of its administrative operations.
(B) Pursuant to Section 3 of the Act, the Shiloh Village Board shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to the availability of records and procedures to be followed in conformity with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The rules and regulations contained herein have thus been established by the Village of Shiloh to ensure that its obligations under the law and its philosophical obligation to its citizens to promote openness and transparency are satisfactorily met. These rules are intended to serve as procedural guidelines for citizens and employees and officers of the Village in expediting the process of obtaining access to public records. In any instance in which these procedures shall conflict with language contained in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act as now existing or hereafter amended, the terms of the Act shall prevail.