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SB 2167

FOIA-FEES AND COSTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Suzy Glowiak Hilton

Illinois bill adjusting FOIA request fees to increase public access to government records while balancing agency administrative costs.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 2167

Legislative bill overview

SB 2167 modifies Illinois's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by adjusting fees and costs that public bodies can charge for processing information requests. The bill appears designed to make FOIA requests more accessible by reducing financial barriers to obtaining public records. Specific fee modifications have not been detailed in the available bill information.

Why is this important

FOIA fees directly affect how easily citizens, journalists, and organizations can access government records. High fees can effectively prevent public scrutiny of government operations by making requests cost-prohibitive. Changes to fee structures impact both the public's right to information and government agencies' ability to recover administrative costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost recovery vs. access: Government agencies argue fees should cover processing costs; transparency advocates argue high fees create barriers to accountability
  • Definition of "reasonable fees": Disagreement likely exists over what constitutes fair compensation for staff time and materials
  • Impact on requesters: Low-income individuals, nonprofits, and smaller news outlets may benefit from reduced fees, while government budgets could face pressure if cost-recovery mechanisms are weakened

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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