HB2884

Amends the Freedom of Information Act to allow lawsuits for withheld public records.

Illinois HB2884 amends the Freedom of Information Act to allow individuals denied access to public records to file suit for injunctive or declaratory relief. The bill specifies that a lawsuit can be filed only after a 60-day period following the receipt of the request by the public body or the issuance of a binding or non-binding opinion from the Public Access Counselor, whichever is later. The court may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party and impose a civil penalty on the public body for each occurrence of noncompliance.