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IL HB2881

IL HB2881
FOIA-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES


summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, as used in the Act, the term "commercial purpose" means, among other things, the use of any part of a public record or records, or information derived from public records, in any form for any use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to expand the definition of "commercial purpose" in public records requests. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing definition to clarify that a commercial purpose includes not only selling or advertising records, but also any use that advances the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made. The amendment preserves an existing exemption for news media and non-profit, scientific, or academic organizations, ensuring that their requests for information related to news, public interest, current events, opinion pieces, or research are not considered commercial in nature. This change aims to provide more clarity around what constitutes a commercial use of public records and potentially helps prevent requests that are primarily intended to generate private financial gain from being treated the same as requests made for public interest or informational purposes.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Martha Deuter (on 01/08/2026)

bill text


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