Sometimes Freedom of Information Act requests are vague and so government entities are left seeking clarification from the requester. The best practice for government agencies is a follow-up discussion with a requester, resulting in simplification and narrowing of the request which can lead to a requester getting what they want and fewer government resources spent getting them the information. However, sometimes the quest for clarification can be taken by a requester to be gamesmanship, whether actually intended or not.
In Edgar County Watchdogs v. Joliet Township, 2023 IL App (3d) 210520 (February 23, 2023), the plaintiff submitted a Freedom
Continue Reading Illinois Appellate Court Denied FOIA Attorneys Fees and Civil Penalties Due to “Clarification” Process