Ill. House unanimously approves FOI overhaul

The Illinois House voted 116-0 in favor of a bill to overhaul the state's FOI and Open Meetings acts, the AP reported. The bill, which gives a public access counselor in the attorney general's office power to mediate disputes and making binding decisions among other improvements, now heads to the Senate.

Taxpayers trying to wade through the sometimes-murky waters of government bureaucracy would find a clearer stream under legislation the Illinois House approved Wednesday.

Lawmakers voted 116-0 to overhaul the state's Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts.

The bill would require government bodies to respond to requests for documents more quickly, create a position in the attorney general's office responsible for ruling on and mediating disputes and impose civil penalties for bureaucrats who purposefully ignore a request or disregard the law.

More here.