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Freedom of Information Act › Public Records › Appeals

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 -
Troutman Pepper

Virginia Appeals Court to Rule on Attorney-Only Public Records Access Limit

Troutman Pepper on

Since 1967, the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public with the right to access records or information from any federal agency, except those records protected under legal exemptions. Each state has...more

Snell & Wilmer

Check Your Privilege: The Arizona Supreme Court Clarifies the Scope and Application of the Legislative Privilege in Fann v. Kemp

Snell & Wilmer on

The ability to petition one’s leaders is long recognized regardless of the form of government. Ever since the Watergate Scandal, the United States has taken the lead on transparency in governmental acts and the interaction...more

Franczek P.C.

Illinois Appellate Court Issues New FOIA-Related Ruling Regarding Unduly Burdensome Exemption

Franczek P.C. on

The Illinois Appellate Court recently issued a new decision regarding the FOIA. In Kraft v. Chicago Police Department, the Court ruled in favor of the police department, finding it properly exempted records as unduly...more

Franczek P.C.

Recent Illinois Case Addresses the Intersection of Public Data and Privacy in Public Records Laws

Franczek P.C. on

A recent Illinois Appellate Court decision raises interesting questions about how provisions protecting “private information” in open records laws should be interpreted in a world in which a vast wealth of information about...more

Franczek P.C.

Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act Updates

Franczek P.C. on

The flurry of activity surrounding the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) and Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) continues. An Illinois Appellate Court once again reviewed whether grand jury records may be disclosed under...more

Franczek P.C.

IL Appellate Court Upholds School District’s Use of “Unduly Burdensome” FOIA Exemption for “Fishing Expedition” Request

Franczek P.C. on

A recent Illinois Appellate Court decision provides welcome support to a school district or other public body faced with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that is more akin to a “fishing expedition” than a targeted...more

Best Best & Krieger LLP

Public Agencies Do Not Have to Create Records for PRA Requesters - California Appellate Court Reinforces Principle

Best Best & Krieger LLP on

The State Bar of California does not have to create records to fulfill a request for bar applicant data under the Public Records Act, an appellate court decided. ...more

Franczek P.C.

Records Containing Only Facts Are Not Subject to Section 7(1)(f) Predecisional Exemption

Franczek P.C. on

Recently, an Illinois Court of Appeals issued a decision mandating disclosure of assessment records from the Cook County Assessor’s Office to the Chicago Tribune under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”)....more

Miller Canfield

Court Clarifies Public Bodies Requirement to Provide Documents Under FOIA

Miller Canfield on

A public body must respond to a FOIA request within five days, but the Michigan Court of Appeals has opined that there is no obligation to produce the requested information within that timeframe. In a June 23, 2016,...more

Franczek P.C.

Iowa Case Highlights Often Overlooked Risk of Releasing Personal Emails in Public Records Requests

Franczek P.C. on

As a frequent advisor to school districts on freedom of information requests, the question I face most often is how a public body can protect a sensitive document from release. ...more

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