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HB 4444

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT-FEE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dan Didech

HB 4444 modifies Illinois FOIA fees to adjust public agency charges for processing information requests, affecting citizen access to government records.

Referred to Rules Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4444

Legislative bill overview

HB 4444 modifies Illinois's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding fees charged to requesters. The bill adjusts how public bodies can levy charges for processing information requests, likely addressing cost recovery mechanisms or accessibility barriers. Specific provisions are not detailed in the provided filing information, making full scope assessment limited.

Why is this important

FOIA fees directly impact citizens' ability to access public records—higher fees create barriers for journalists, activists, and ordinary people seeking government accountability. Illinois's approach to these fees affects transparency and public participation in democratic processes. The balance between allowing agencies to recover reasonable costs and ensuring meaningful public access is a persistent policy tension.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost recovery vs. access equity: Whether agencies should recoup processing costs may disadvantage lower-income requesters and limit transparency for those who cannot afford fees
  • Fee structure and caps: The bill likely addresses what fees are permissible, with debate over whether existing caps are too high, too low, or insufficiently defined
  • Scope of "reasonable charges": Disagreement over what constitutes legitimate administrative costs versus fees that effectively gatekeep public information

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

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