By IRN
Springfield, IL – This year's changes to a public-records law in Illinois require more transparency for City Halls and school districts.
Local governments are having to be more accountable, under changes to the Freedom of Information Act which took effect at the start of this year.
Cara Smith is a public access counselor for the Illinois attorney general's office. She says many local governments use the Freedom of Information Act as a shield; she says they could make most information public if they wanted to.
Smith says while FOIA is a time-honored tool for reporters, she says the vast majority of requests for information come from citizens who are not reporters. Smith says people simply want to know what is going on in their communities.
Among other things, governmental bodies must designate someone on staff as the Freedom of Information officer. Repercussions can include an order to comply, as well as monetary penalties.
