FOIA-RECORDS OF ATTORNEY GEN
If passed, HB2444 will alter how public records are managed and reviewed by the Public Access Counselor. The proposed amendments stipulate that records or documents acquired by the counselor for the purpose of reviewing a denial of public records access can no longer be disclosed to the public, including the requester. This creates a layer of confidentiality around the review process, affecting transparency in how public access requests are handled by state officials.
House Bill 2444, introduced by Rep. Daniel Didech, proposes amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Illinois, specifically targeting the handling of records by the Public Access Counselor. The bill seeks to change existing regulations regarding the disclosure of information considered exempt from public access. Specifically, it removes the provision that mandates the Public Access Counselor not to disclose certain exempt information derived from records supplied by public bodies during request reviews.
The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between government transparency and the protection of sensitive information. Proponents argue that the changes are necessary to protect confidential information while allowing for effective oversight by the Public Access Counselor. On the other hand, critics express concern that the amendments could hinder transparency and limit public scrutiny over how public bodies comply with FOIA requests, thereby potentially restricting access to vital governmental information.