Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a law that could help families fighting to learn the truth about the death of loved ones.
Rauner signed legislation today that strengthens Illinois' Freedom of Information Act by increasing fines for public bodies that fail to comply with court orders to release information. Continue…
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Read More… from “Molly’s Law” will open more public records to victims’ families
An Illinois county has launched a new online system for Freedom of Information of Act requests.
People can now log on to the St. Clair County's FOIAXpress system — a system used by more than 200 government agencies and offices — to submit requests, then track their progress through the online portal. Continue…
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Read More… from Illinois county implements online FOIA system
In 1788, revolutionary leader Patrick Henry said: “The liberties of people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”
That basic democratic principle is still important more than 200 years later.
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One of my favorite TV shows in the ‘80s was the “People’s Court,” where average citizens argued small cases in front of feisty Judge Joseph Wapner. The show inspired an entire genre of quasi-real courtroom programs that continue to populate the airwaves today with the likes of Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Mathis and several others.
As for the “People’s Court,” I can still picture emcee Doug Llewelyn advising viewers not to take the law into their own hands. “You take ‘em to court,” he’d say.
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From pantagraph.com: WAPELLA — There was a time when Wapella, a town of about 552 people, was pretty well-known in the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
In 2012, the DeWitt County village was looking for guidance from the AG’s office after 408 Freedom of Information Act requests were filed by private citizens for the Village Board or the village itself. Some of the requests were denied by officials and sent to the AG’s office for a review of the rulings.
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Read More… from Wapella holds FOIA distinction among Illinois state workers
From Belleville News-Democrat: Only two county governments in the metro-east passed an online review from an independent group seeking more openness in governance to prevent corruption.
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The Illinois Policy Institute found 90 of the 102 counties in Illinois to be below the group’s expectations. And the group believes at least 27 counties violated state laws intended to ensure basic information was available to the public about the largest government agencies in most areas.
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Read More… from Illinois policy group says 4 metro-east counties violate open government laws
We’re sorry we missed our usual State FOIA Friday last week (May 17) but we were otherwise occupied in New Orleans for the annual FOI Summit.
A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
UW-Madison seeks limits on open records regarding research
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From techdirt.com: If you’re a government with something to hide, there are plenty of shady ways to handle Freedom of Information Act requests. You can make sure your organization is legally allowed to carry guns and simply refuse, like the NYPD. […]
Read More… from Chicago school system on FOIA requests: Stonewalling, obfuscation, & paper-shredding
A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
Blackfoot woman receives Idaho open government award
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