National Freedom of Information Coalition
Protecting Your Right to Open Government

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Brockton City Council cleared of violating Open Meeting Law

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The state has found that the City Council did not violate Open Meeting Law when meeting in private about a $68 million power plant lawsuit.

The Attorney General’s office ruled last week that the council appropriately entered into executive session last winter to discuss the federal lawsuit and the possibility of a settlement.

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Police body cams: Bill would exempt footage from FOIA

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The issue of requiring police officers to wear body cameras, which is getting increased attention in light of several high profile deaths of African-American males at the hands of police officers across the nation, landed before the Legislature Monday.

But the policy discussion wasn't about state funds available for body cameras or mandating the use of the new technology. The first bill up for discussion before the House Judiciary Committee is one that would exempt some body-cam footage from release under the state's Freedom of Information laws.

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Legislative Caucuses Don’t Believe FOIA Applies to Them

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These days, the S.C. House Republican and Democratic caucuses enjoy the use of rent-free office space in a taxpayer-funded House building on the State House grounds.

That alone would classify those caucuses as a “public body” under the state Freedom of Information Act, according to a 2006 formal opinion issued by then-S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, who is now, by virtue of his position as lieutenant governor, the Senate president.

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Chicago not releasing video of officer-involved shooting

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Months after a teenager was shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer, the city is still refusing to release the dash-cam video of the fatal shooting and didn’t even show it to aldermen Wednesday before they approved a $5 million settlement with the family.

The October 2014 shooting death of Laquon McDonald hasn’t generated the same kind of national attention as other recent high-profile confrontations involving officers. After some, in such places as South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arizona, video was released that quickly went viral.

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OSG Hit With FOIA Suit Over 2011 Speech On Tribal Cases

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The Office of the Solicitor General has unreasonably refused to turn over records concerning a speech by an OSG official that allegedly conceded misrepresentations by the office in two landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases involving Native American tribes, according to a Freedom of Information Act suit filed Friday in D.C. federal court.
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Judge sets June hearing in U of Illinois FOIA lawsuit

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 A Champaign County judge has set a June hearing for a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed against the University of Illinois by a professor denied a job at the school.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1IIeH2F ) Champaign County Judge Thomas Difanis on Monday set a hearing for June 12. Professor Steve Salaita and his attorneys filed the lawsuit in November seeking public documents related to his case. The judge in June will rule on motions for summary judgment from both parties.

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