A Chicago Tribune overview of FOIA in Illinois includes a seven-item wish list of what people familiar with the law would like to see improved. The list includes limiting exemptions, modernizing access to digital records, and strengthening penalties for delayed responses. Read the full list […]
Read More… from Illinois residents name seven ways the state’s FOIA law should improve
The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined more than two dozen organizations in calling for a hearing on federal agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. An April 7, 2021, letter to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee said a hearing was necessary to understand FOIA implementation by the Trump Administration and to seek […]
Read More… from Letter, signed by NFOIC, calls for oversight hearing on agency compliance with FOIA
The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined other transparency-focused nonprofit groups in urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to “breathe life back into” principles of open government and accountability. An April 7, 2021, letter signed by 20 entities asked Garland to issue a memo to all government offices, establishing how to apply the Freedom […]
The Michigan Supreme Court deadlocked April 9, 2021, on whether records possessed by a University of Michigan library are considered public, The Detroit News reported. The 3-3 ruling allows an immigration lawyer to move forward with a public records request for documents donated to the university by an anti-immigration activist. In 2010, Dr. John Tanton […]
An April 2, 2021, Chicago Tribune article by Courtney Kueppers demonstrates how private citizens using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act can “shape public discourse and change laws.” Concerned citizens, journalists, nonprofits, lawyers and gadflies all make regular use of FOIA requests, and information that Illinois residents have obtained through FOIA has helped shape public […]
A Wisconsin appeals court panel on Monday, April 5, ruled that a business association cannot stop the state health department from releasing data about businesses linked to COVID-19 cases. The state’s Supreme Court still could prevent the release of the records, if it takes the case. The National Freedom of Information Coalition had signed an […]
Read More… from Wisconsin court says business group cannot block COVID-19 data
The National Freedom of Information Coalition has scheduled its 2021, 2022 and 2023 FOI Summits. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 FOI Summit will be conducted virtually, Sept. 28-30. More details will come soon, so please keep checking this website and NFOIC’s social media and newsletter. The 2022 FOI Summit is scheduled for Sept. […]
Read More… from Dates, locations set for 2021, 2022 and 2023 FOI Summits
The National Freedom of Information Coalition, along with a dozen other organizations, joined a Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press amicus brief in a New Jersey case concerning access to settlement agreements between public employees and public agencies. Libertarians for Transparent Government sought a settlement agreement between a former corrections officer and Cumberland County, […]
Jane Briggs-Bunting, a journalist, educator and First Amendment champion who co-founded the Michigan Coalition for Open Government, died Tuesday, March 23 at age 70. “Jane didn’t shy away from fights that needed to be fought,” former student Meg O’Brien told the Detroit Free Press. “She emphasized that journalism wasn’t a popularity contest and trained us […]
The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined more than 260 organizations in signing a Government Accountability Project letter to government leaders, supporting the strengthening of whistleblower protections. The letter, sent to President Biden and Congressional leaders, calls for restoring bipartisan support for whistleblower rights, to ensure government accountability. Stakeholders signing the letter included a broad […]
Read More… from NFOIC joins more than 260 organizations in letter urging whistleblower protections
