Bill
SB 2436
Adds a FOIA exemption to hide documents deemed “security sensitive” under NRC/National Materials Program requirements.
Status: Died in committee (per provided record)
Introduced: Feb 7, 2025 (filed by Sen. Karina Villa)
Statute affected: Amend 5 ILCS 140/7 (Freedom of Information Act)
Companion: HB 4609
Note on source materials: The bill header provided to me included a different title about social media and tobacco/nicotine content for minors. The official text included with this request and the bill synopsis both indicate the bill instead proposes an amendment to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to exempt certain security‑sensitive documents (related to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and National Materials Program requirements) from public inspection. This summary follows the text and synopsis supplied.
Summary — Purpose and intent
- SB 2436 would amend Section 7 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to add an exemption for documents that have been determined to be “security sensitive” under requirements related to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Materials Program. The intent is to withhold from public disclosure records identified as security sensitive under those federal/state frameworks.
Key provisions and changes
- Adds to FOIA’s list of exemptions (5 ILCS 140/7) an exemption covering documents determined to be security sensitive under NRC- or National Materials Program–related requirements (as reflected in the bill’s synopsis).
- The introduced bill text includes the full Section 7 exemption language (existing FOIA exemptions), with the new exemption inserted among exemptions that allow redaction and withholdings for privacy, law enforcement, corrections security, officer conduct databases, automatic license plate readers, and similar categories.
- The statutory effect would be that public bodies may refuse inspection or copying of records that meet the specified “security sensitive” determination criteria tied to NRC/National Materials Program obligations.
Who would be affected
- State and local public bodies that maintain records subject to FOIA and that possess documents designated as security sensitive under NRC/National Materials Program standards (for example, agencies that regulate or oversee radioactive materials, nuclear facilities, or related security functions).
- Members of the public, journalists, researchers, and advocacy groups seeking access to records related to nuclear materials or related security practices would be restricted from obtaining records so designated.
- Potentially federal-state information-sharing arrangements and contractors working with relevant agencies.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Public safety: Withholding security-sensitive information may reduce risks associated with public disclosure of vulnerabilities regarding nuclear materials or facilities.
- Transparency and oversight: The exemption would limit public access and could reduce transparency and external oversight of certain agency activities; balancing public safety and accountability would be a central policy consideration.
- Federal alignment: The exemption appears intended to harmonize state FOIA treatment with federal NRC/National Materials Program requirements preventing disclosure of security-sensitive materials.
Procedural history (as provided)
- Filed/First reading: Feb 7, 2025 (Sen. Karina Villa)
- Referred to Assignments; then to Executive; later to Government Operations and Finance (dates vary in record)
- Committee deadlines and re-referrals occurred between March and June 2025 per ledger entries
- Final status in provided record: Died in Committee
If you want, I can:
- Compare the introduced FOIA language side-by-side with current 5 ILCS 140/7 and produce exact insertion language; or
- Draft a short memo outlining likely transparency and security tradeoffs and questions for committee consideration.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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