News & Analysis as of September 22, 2024

Freedom of Information Act › Municipalities

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The Freedom of Information Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1966 to promote government transparency and the free exchange of public information. Under FOIA, any individual can request federal... more +

The Freedom of Information Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1966 to promote government transparency and the free exchange of public information. Under FOIA, any individual can request federal agency records and enforce that right in a court of law. However, not all agency records can be requested; there are nine exempt categories of information. In addition to the federal law, many states have passed their own freedom of information acts. These acts are often similar but not always identical to the federal version. less -

Three Things to Consider When Sharing Confidential or Proprietary Information with State and Municipal Governments

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on 4/6/2022

Many companies find themselves in the position of voluntarily sharing some of their most sensitive data and other confidential information with state and local governments. For example, this type of information-sharing may...more

Informing Illinois Newsletter - March 2018

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP on 3/13/2018

Illinois Supreme Court Says Gun Ban Near Parks Is Unconstitutional - On February 1, 2018, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the portion of the Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW) statute that criminalized the possession of...more

FOIL Request Denials Could Come with a Cost to NYS Agencies and Municipalities

Harris Beach PLLC on 1/12/2018

State agencies and New York State municipalities must have a reasonable basis to deny Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) requests or they will be subjected to mandatory attorney’s fees when a denial is successfully...more

PAC Upholds Municipality’s Denial of Request for FOIA Fee Waiver

Franczek P.C. on 5/17/2017

The Public Access Counselor recently issued a non-binding opinion holding that public bodies have the discretion to decide whether to waive or reduce copying fees associated with the production of documents responsive to FOIA...more

Municipal Legal News

Dickinson Wright on 10/4/2016

On September 21, Governor Snyder signed a package of bills (2016 PA 281-283) that significantly expands the types of medical marijuana facilities permitted under state law, and establishes a licensing scheme similar to the...more

Municipal Legal News: Volume 1, Number 2 November 2015

Dickinson Wright on 11/16/2015

Employment Requirements for Building Officials - The Michigan Attorney General has interpreted a recent law requiring municipal building officials to be “employed” by a municipality to mean that building officials cannot...more

PAC Opinion Finds Municipal Bank Account Numbers Subject to FOIA

Franczek P.C. on 9/2/2015

Earlier this year, the Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued an under-the-radar advisory opinion that could have an impact on responses to Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. According to the non-binding...more

Appellate Court Notes

Pullman & Comley, LLC on 7/7/2015

- Supreme Court Advance Release Opinions: - SC19422 - Awdziewicz v. Meriden Certain police officers retired, entitling them to pension benefits under the City Charter as previously modified in a separate lawsuit...more

Municipal Legal News - Volume 1 Number 1

Dickinson Wright on 2/17/2015

Major Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") Amendments - Public Act 563 of 2014 ("Act 563") amends the FOIA to impose a number of new regulations on public bodies. All municipalities will need to review their FOIA...more

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