Bill > HB1740

This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to modify the timeline for responding to requests specifically related to officer-worn body camera recordings. Currently, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, but this bill extends the response time to 15 business days for requests seeking audio or video from body-worn cameras. The bill adds a new subsection (d-5) to the existing law that provides public bodies with more time to process these specific types of records, recognizing that body camera footage may require more complex review and processing. The extension allows public bodies additional time to review the recordings for potential exemptions, such as protecting personal privacy or ongoing investigations, while still maintaining the requirement that they must either comply with or formally deny the request within the specified timeframe. The bill preserves the ability of the requester and the public body to mutually agree to further extend the compliance period if needed, ensuring flexibility in handling these potentially sensitive and voluminous records.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1740&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104