The proposed amendments aim to enhance accountability and integrity in the process of requesting public records. By allowing public bodies to ask for verification of identity, the bill seeks to mitigate the risk of fraudulent requests. An important aspect of the bill is that it tolls the response deadline until the identity of the requester is confirmed. If the requester fails to verify their identity within 30 days upon request, the public body can deny the request. This provision is intended to ensure that only legitimate requests are processed while protecting the public interest in transparency.
House Bill 2578, introduced by Rep. Daniel Didech, amends the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois. It specifically changes the definition of a 'person' and establishes a process for public bodies to verify the identity of individuals making requests for public records. According to the bill, if a public body believes a request was not submitted by a person, it can require the requester to verify their identity, either orally or in writing, within five business days. This verification is essential for the public body to proceed with the request and respond within the stipulated timeframe.
Notable points of contention surrounding HB2578 include concerns about potential misuse of the identity verification clause. Critics argue that such requirements could create barriers for individuals seeking access to public records, particularly for journalists or members of the community who may not have formal identification ready. Furthermore, there is apprehension that the bill could discourage requests from marginalized groups who might find the verification process unnecessarily burdensome. Supporters of the bill, however, argue that verification is a necessary step to protect public bodies from spam and malicious intent while maintaining the integrity of the Freedom of Information Act.