Other Improper Elmhurst D205 Credit Card Spending?

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 is not saying whether other employees besides a former top official used their district-issued credit cards for personal expenses.

Earlier this month, Patch asked for records of other employees following the practice of using their cards for personal purposes and then reimbursing the district later.

On Thursday, the district denied the request, saying it was "unduly burdensome."

"The information is not immediately available," wrote Tonya Daniels, the district's Freedom of Information Act officer. "To provide this, the District would have to obtain information from separate records and data, compile and distill the information, and create a new record."

Under state law, a public body is not required to create new documents in response to a records request.

In an email to Daniels, Patch asked whether the district could rule out that other employees adopted the same practice as Schmidt. Daniels, who is also the district's top public relations official, did not respond.

Former Facilities Director Todd Schmidt, who is accused of swindling his mother in Rockford, used his district credit card for $46,000 in personal expenses, including booze, cigars, groceries, airfare and restaurants, according to records obtained by Patch.

In December, the district said it was investigating Schmidt's use of the district's finances and resources. He paid back the district every month, essentially getting short-term loans.

Last month, the district entered an agreement for the resignation of Schmidt's supervisor, Chris Whelton, the district's assistant superintendent of finance. He is leaving at month's end.

In the agreement, the district said it was investigating the practices of the business office, which Whelton oversees. This inquiry may include credit card spending.