Illinois residents could have a harder time accessing government information under new legislation before the General Assembly.
The plan, SB2799, makes it harder for people to get repaid legal costs when a government wrongfully denies access to public documents.
At the same time, it makes it easier for governments to keep certain information off-limits.
Groups such as the Better Government Association, the Illinois Press Association (a representative there called the measure the most egregious changes to FOIA since the law was restructured) and the Attorney General’s office are fighting it.
Natalie Bauer, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General, says it will make it incredibly more difficult to obtain public information that taxpayers are owed. Read More