It was an outrageous violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act and infringed on the public’s right to know the government’s financial condition and how state officials might remedy it.
The Headline Club also objected to lawmakers’ efforts to curb some of the new improvements in the Illinois Open Meetings Act. We also sent our letter to Cara Smith, the state’s new public access counselor.
In other matters:
The Chicago Police Department has extended the validity of existing media credentials from 2008 through June 30, 2010, police spokesman Roderick Drew said Feb. 19. In a Feb. 17 letter he sent “media partners,” he said CPD has proposed amendments to the current credentials rules and the amendments will require City Council approval. Police spokesman Rod Drew said late last year that requirements that applicants be fingerprinted and undergo criminal background checks might be removed from the credentialing rules.
A Feb. 22 court session concerning Innocence Project students at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism turned out to be a minor matter, despite near-emergency scheduling. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Cannon had a question about a motion. The next hearing is scheduled March 10. State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez still requests student records – a move CHC remains firmly against.