illinois open government – Page 2 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Bob Heisse: Sunshine Week celebrates the public’s right to know

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The idea for Sunshine Week started — appropriately enough — in Florida in 2002 when that state’s newspapers shed light on proposals by some legislators to create many new exemptions to the public records laws.

Following three Sunshine Sundays in which newspapers publicized these efforts, Florida legislators voted down about 300 proposals that would have restricted the right to know.

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Open government groups urge Illinois court to grant records access

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Press release from Student Press Law Center (SPLC):

The Student Press Law Center (“SPLC”) and other open-government groups are urging the Illinois Appellate Court to grant journalists access to records of a university’s investigation into sexual harassment claims against coaches and a settlement paid to resolve those claims.

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 5, 2012

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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:

Advocates fight to keep Georgia archives open to public

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Illinois man to hold vigil for open government

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From WJBC.com:

GALENA – A Galena man is waging a campaign to see the federal government’s business conducted in public.

Bill Fawell, 58, a real estate developer with politicians in his family, is author of New American Revolution: The Constitutional Overthrow of the United States Government. He’s urging registered voters to “light a candle for liberty” Monday from 7-8 p.m.

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for June 22, 2012

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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:

Judge’s ruling confirms Nevada public records are public

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Study still shows massive Illinois FOIA noncompliance

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From Northwest Herald:

It took Ed Mrkvicka Jr. a year under the improved Illinois Freedom of Information Act to get a two-page state disciplinary report about a real estate agent. The Marengo resident and his daughter filed two FOIA requests with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Not only did the agency ignore the request, but it also had ignored the Illinois Attorney General Public Access Counselor’s order to submit the documents for review.

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Transparency bills on the way to Illinois governor

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From Northwest Herald:

Two bills aimed at improving Illinois residents’ right to know – both of which were fought by local government lobbyists – are on their way to Gov. Pat Quinn.

The General Assembly last week passed a bill requiring adding municipal, county and township employee salaries to the searchable state database and a bill aimed at improving meeting agendas.

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Court Strikes Blow to Illinois Eavesdropping Law

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From NYTimes:

In a blow to Illinois' sweeping eavesdropping law, a federal appeals court on Tuesday blocked its enforcement in cases where someone is recording a police officer at work.

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A downside to Illinois’ open meetings training

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From WBEZ91.5:

Local officials across Illinois are getting schooled this year in transparency. By the end of this year, they're required to learn about the state's Open Meetings law, using a training on the internet. But there's a worry this noble goal could end up scaring away community volunteers.

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