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Midwest Open
​Government Project

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The Citizen Advocacy Center has launched our Midwest Open Government Project which is a comprehensive study of the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts in Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.  Freedom of  Information and Open Meetings statutes are cornerstone laws that make it possible for people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments, and monitoring government decision-making.  However, despite strong public policy statements, state open government statutes are weak.  Ineffective oversight, the lack of training, excessive fees, policies that fail to address the integration of technology in the business of governing, and few effective public resources to address grievances result in rampant systemic barriers to the public’s capacity to participate in the democratic process.

CAC’s study is a comprehensive overview and analysis of relevant open government publications, case law, statewide audits, and the presence and effectiveness of Public Access Counselors and Open Government Commissions that specifically identifies strengths and weaknesses in each state.  In addition, CAC will create a road map for reform that can be used by advocates, the press, and the general public to implement regional reform for the purpose of dismantling barriers to public participation.  The road map will include model Freedom of Information and Open Meeting statutes for each state that promote the  strongest provisions identified.

The final product produced by CAC will include policy reports for each state that includes recommendations for reform, citizen guides and model statutes.
Complete Midwest Open Government Report
File Size: 689 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

State Reports 

Illinois
File Size: 305 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Michigan.pdf
File Size: 291 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Minnesota
File Size: 314 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ohio
File Size: 275 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wisconsin
File Size: 285 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Model Statutes

Illinois Freedom of Information Act
File Size: 115 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Illinois Open Meetings Act
File Size: 89 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Michigan Freedom of Information Act
File Size: 117 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Michigan Open Meetings Act
File Size: 84 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Minnesota Government Data Pracitces Act
File Size: 124 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Minnesota Open Meetings Law
File Size: 89 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ohio Public Records Law
File Size: 123 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ohio Open Meetings Act
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wisconsin Public Records Law
File Size: 131 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wisconsin Open Meetings Law
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Citizen Guides

Illinois
File Size: 158 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Michigan
File Size: 172 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Minnesota
File Size: 163 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ohio
File Size: 160 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wisconsin
File Size: 146 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

*The Illinois Freedom of Information Act has been substantively altered since the publication of this report.

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  • Home
  • FAQ
  • About Us
    • Leadership Personnel >
      • Executive Director Search
    • Internships
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Council
    • Founder
    • Citizen Initiative Awards
  • Core Activities
    • Answering Questions of Public Concern
    • Education, Training, & Resources
    • Monitoring Government Activity
    • Advocacy to Strengthen Laws & Institutions
  • Library
    • Citizen Guides
    • Policy Reports >
      • Good Government Research Studies
      • Survey of Government Regulations on Public Assembly in DuPage Municipalities
      • Midwest Open Government Project
      • Right to Speak Report
      • Sexual Harassment Policy Survey
    • Databases >
      • Public Access Counselor Determination Letter Index
    • CAC News
    • Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • e-Newsletters
  • Events
  • Act
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Internship Opportunities
    • Legal Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • THANK YOU!