As Sunshine Week casts its glow on government transparency, Attorney General Kwame Raoul took to the stage to shine a light on Illinois' open records, releasing the Annual Report from the Public Access Counselor (PAC) detailing the handlings of over 3,800 new matters in 2023. The PAC, tasked with ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA) in Illinois, has not only resolved disputes but also equipped thousands with the knowledge of transparency laws through webinars and seminars statewide, according to a recent announcement on Raoul's website.
"The Public Access Counselor in my office works throughout the year to ensure government agencies in Illinois are accessible to the people they serve," Raoul said, lauding the PAC's years-long commitment to helping the public and media understand their rights under transparency laws, officials, and FOIA officers are encouraged to absorb knowledge through the bureau's extensive training programs, Raoul's office reported a handling of more than 310 new matters per month last year. Since its inception in 2010, the PAC has rolled up its sleeves on over 55,000 matters, offering legal guidance through binding opinions that help clarify transparency regulations in the prairie state.
Last year's report highlighted several binding opinions, like the case where the Yorkville Community Unit School District Board of Education was told to disclose verbatim recordings and minutes from a closed session about the removal of the book "Just Mercy" from an English curriculum, the PAC flagged the discussion as inappropriate for closed session debate, this was emphasized in their directive to make the session's contents public. St. Clair County was also under the microscope for mishandling a FOIA request with “commercial purpose," requiring them to waive improper fees initially charged to the Natural Resources Defense Council, reiterating FOIA's stance against personnel cost charges for non-commercial requests.
The PAC further flexed its transparency muscles beyond the courts through non-binding determinations and informal negations; in one instance, it aided a Washington City Council meeting's audio issue, recommending optimal audibility that led to an audio system update, while in another, a negotiation with the Chicago Police Department led to the release of crucial records in a missing person's case that was initially denied. For the curious and the conscientious alike, Raoul's office remains a beacon of assistance, inviting inquiries and training requests via email at [email protected], or for immediate access needs, there's a hotline at 1-877-299-FOIA (3642), ensuring no query goes unanswered and every record sees the light of day.
