Bill > SB2169

This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to modify the process for filing lawsuits when a public body denies access to certain meeting records. Specifically, the bill introduces a new requirement that if a requester wants to sue for access to minutes or a verbatim record of a closed meeting that have not been previously available for public inspection, they must wait 60 days after either (1) the public body receives the request or (2) the Public Access Counselor issues a binding or non-binding opinion, whichever occurs later. This waiting period is intended to allow time for review of the requested records under the Open Meetings Act. The change aims to provide public bodies with an opportunity to review and potentially release requested documents before litigation begins, potentially reducing unnecessary legal proceedings and giving agencies a chance to resolve access disputes internally. The bill preserves the existing framework of FOIA that allows individuals to challenge denials of public records, but adds this procedural step specifically for meeting minutes from closed sessions.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2169&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104