Legal
FOIA, Open Meetings Act and Public Access Counselor opinions.
Thornton Township Approved Five Jobs Under a Supervisor’s Report. Illinois Ordered Another Vote.
A local reporter challenged the agenda. The PAC found inadequate advance notice while upholding the explanation given before the vote.
Oak Lawn Withheld an Arrest File. Privacy Did Not Justify Hiding All of It.
A reporter sought records of an arrest involving a law-enforcement employee. The PAC rejected a blanket privacy denial.
Okawville Fired a Police Officer Under an Agenda That Said Personnel Issues.
The agenda did not tell residents the board intended to terminate a police officer. Illinois ordered a properly noticed re-vote.
Lebanon Closed the Doors on City Hall. It Had Been Warned About Closed Meetings Before.
Two private discussions about an existing city hall crossed the statutory line. A 2016 opinion documents a separate earlier violation.
Caseyville Said Personnel. Behind Closed Doors, It Discussed Overdue Loans.
A trustee challenged a closed meeting about overdue TIF loans. The village’s later litigation explanation did not save it.
Will County Tried to Keep a Termination Letter Behind a Criminal-Case Excuse.
A newspaper asked how a public employee’s job ended. Prosecutors withheld the letter, then failed to justify the secrecy.
Sauk Village Cut the Microphone. Illinois Said the Speaker Had the Right to Be Heard.
A mayor stopped a resident from naming trustees. The first PAC binding opinion of 2026 rejected that restriction.
Illinois PAC binding opinions: the 2026 directory
Eleven binding opinions so far in 2026: find the official FOIA and Open Meetings Act decisions.