The family of Evanston resident Felicea Williams has taken the city to court, accusing officials of stonewalling their efforts to see police body-camera footage from a Nov. 23, 2023, encounter that left her in a coma. Their complaint centers on an alleged violation of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and seeks body-cam video and related records the family says could clarify how a welfare check turned into a medical emergency. The suit lands amid growing local scrutiny of how Evanston police handle welfare checks and document use of force.
Family Accuses City of FOIA Stonewalling
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the lawsuit claims Evanston officials violated FOIA by denying or delaying access to the body-worn camera footage and other records tied to the incident. The station reports the suit was filed this week as Williams' relatives continue pressing for answers about what happened before she was hospitalized.
City Review Details Welfare Check, OC Spray, Hospital Run
A report from the City of Evanston outlines what internal investigators say occurred during the Nov. 23, 2023 welfare check on the 1100 block of Florence Avenue. Office of Professional Standards records describe officers deploying OC spray and restraining family members. The report states that Williams complained she could not breathe, was treated on scene by Evanston Fire Department personnel, then transported to a hospital. It also notes that a family member later filed a FOIA request seeking the body-worn camera footage.
The internal review recommended that most allegations be classified as "Not Sustained" while documenting at least one sustained finding that led to shift-level discipline for an officer.
What Illinois Law Says About Fighting a FOIA Denial
Under Illinois law, people who believe a public body has improperly withheld records can ask the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor to review the denial or they can go straight to circuit court for judicial review, per the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. That gives requesters both an administrative route to challenge a denial and the option to file a lawsuit if the issue is not resolved. When FOIA disputes land in court, judges weigh statutory exemptions, including whether releasing records might interfere with an active investigation, before deciding if materials such as body-cam footage must be disclosed.
The lawsuit over Williams' case is still pending, and her family says it is seeking both access to the footage and accountability for what happened after officers arrived for the welfare check. We will monitor new court filings and official responses as the case moves forward.
