In observance of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Kwame Raoul has released the Public Access Counselor Annual Report. This report details over 4,200 new matters received in 2024 and other issues addressed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) last year.
The PAC aims to enhance transparency within Illinois government by resolving disputes related to public bodies' adherence to the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA). The report highlights that PAC trained thousands on Illinois' transparency laws through various webinars, seminars, and conferences across the state.
"During Sunshine Week, I’m proud to highlight the hard work and commitment of my office’s Public Access Bureau to ensuring government agencies in Illinois are accessible to the people they serve," Raoul stated. He encouraged officials and FOIA officers, along with the public, to participate in training sessions led by experts from the Public Access Bureau.
Since its establishment in 2010, over 59,000 matters have been submitted for review by the PAC. In 2024 alone, there were 4,234 formal requests for assistance under FOIA and OMA. These determinations have provided significant legal guidance in Illinois regarding public access to records and open meetings.
The PAC not only resolves disputes through binding and non-binding opinions but also conducts trainings for government officials about their duties under FOIA and OMA. Last year saw more than 3,500 participants attend 16 webinars hosted by the PAC bureau.
In terms of binding opinions issued in 2024, one notable case involved a member of the public alleging that the Village of Princeville Board of Trustees violated OMA by allowing remote attendance at meetings due to employment obligations. The opinion concluded that "employment purposes" include job responsibilities requiring travel and that there is no limit on remote attendance due to such obligations unless restricted by local rules.
Another binding opinion addressed a FOIA request denial by Elk Grove Village Police Department concerning police records. The department's refusal was found unjustified as it failed to demonstrate how disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings. Consequently, a redacted version was provided following this determination.
Non-binding resolutions included cases like a traffic stop video request where ISP initially charged a fee but later provided recordings free after failing timely response requirements under FOIA.
For further information or training inquiries with representatives from Attorney General’s office, interested parties can email special.events@ilag.gov or visit Raoul’s website for more resources on sunshine laws.