Advocates to IL General Assembly: Forego Override of Bad FOIA Bill

MEDIA ADVISORY – Press Conference

Good Government Advocates Urge Illinois General Assembly to Forego Override of  IL Freedom of Information Act Strong - Governor Quinn Vetoes Bill on Friday June 27th, the same day it reaches his desk.

What: Press conference convened by Citizen Advocacy Center of good government groups calling on the Illinois General Assembly to forego a veto of HB 3796 that amends the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and weakens FOIA’s intent to ensure necessary access to public records so that the public can effectively monitor government bodies to keep them accountable.

HB 3796 creates a new category within the FOIA that can designate a request “voluminous” based on how much information is requested within one FOIA request.  The bill also implements a new fee structure that allows public bodies to charge as much as $100 for electronic data and allows public bodies to not respond to FOIA requests under certain circumstances.  For more information regarding HB3796 visit www.CitizenAdvocacyCenter.org

Who:         
Citizen Advocacy Center, Maryam Judar
Illinois PIRG, Abe Scarr
Better Government Association, Andy Shaw
Illinois Policy Institute, Brian Costin
Citizen Watchdog and Frequent FOIA Requester – Dr. Tamara Brenner

In addition to the organizations presenting, this effort is also endorsed by Chicago Headline Club, ACLU of Illinois, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, and Dick Simpson, UIC Political Science Professor and Former Chicago Alderman.

When:        Monday, June 30th at 10:30 a.m.
Where:       Illinois State Building (Thompson Center)
                      15th Floor, Blue Room
                      100 W. Randolph St.
                       Chicago, IL 60601
Go through security on first floor; then take elevator to 15th floor
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Citizen Advocacy Center is a non-profit, non-partisan free community legal organization dedicated to building democracy for the 21st century by strengthening the citizenry's capacities, resources, and institutions for self-governance.