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Appeals Court rules reporter does not have to reveal sources

December 16, 2014 admin 0

As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times   State appeals court: Reporter will not have to disclose source   Sam Charles @samjcharles | email A reporter previously held in contempt of court while covering a grisly Joliet double-homicide will not have to disclose his source, a state appeals court ruled Monday. The court reversed […]

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Bill would private college police departments to comply with FOIA

March 8, 2015 admin 0

A bill filed Feb. 27 by Illinois  House Representaives Christian Mitchell (D-26) and Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25) would require police and security departments operated by private colleges and universities to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. HB3932 provides an amendment to the Private College Campus Police Act  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=011010200K1 requiring those […]

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Proposed restrictions to FOIA opposed by transparency advocates

March 25, 2015 admin 0

Advocates for public access and transparent government are voicing opposition to a bill that would place restrictions on FOIA requests regarding public facilities’ finances when they rent out space. Rep. Robert Rita (D-28) is the sponsor of HB 3621 which calls for further restrictions to the Illinois’ Freedom of Information […]

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McCormick Foundation awards FOIAFest grant

February 14, 2016 admin 0

The Chicago Headline Club has received a two-year, $25,000 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to support FOIAFest. The Headline Club’s annual daylong conference leads up to Sunshine Week and aims to celebrate the importance of access to public information. “This grant will allow the Headline Club to broaden […]

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Investigative grants available!

February 14, 2016 admin 0

Need helping defraying the cost of investigative stories, say an airline ticket or a FOIA request? We want to help. We have grants available, thanks to the generosity of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Apply by April 29 for up to $575, or by July 29 for up to $2,000. […]

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CPS closes the door on public session

July 8, 2016 admin 0

The Chicago Public School, according to a piece written by DNAInfo’s Stephanie Lulay, ( CPS Kicks Reporters Out)  the meeting was about school expansion.  Lulay wrote that “…WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm were barred from entering the public meeting. This DNAinfo Chicago reporter was escorted out of the meeting […]

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CAC sets “Democracy Night” July 12

July 8, 2016 admin 0

The Citizen Advocacy Center will host “Democracy Night” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The event will showcase work by CAC interns. The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged by phone at (630) 833-4080 or by email at cac@citizenadvocacycenter.org. Additional information is at: CAC Democracy Night

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Court ruling lifts injunction blocking police records

July 12, 2016 admin 0

The Better Government Association (bettergov.org) scored a major victory when The Illinois Appellate Court lifted an injunction blocking the release of alleged police misconduct records. In a release, the BGA said “…The BGA is pleased with the outcome and hails the ruling by the Illinois Appellate Court as a victory […]

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The FOIA at 50

July 19, 2016 admin 0

The 50th anniversary of the federal Freedom of Information Act has given way to state laws, but, writes the BGA’s Andy Shaw, the need for access to public records is greater than ever before. Shaw’s view can be found at FOIA at 50: Public records law important, often ignored   […]