HB 1716, will it affect the BR?

The bill HB1716 awaiting Pat Quinn's approvals, based on reducing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA's), will not affect the Bolingbrook Report.

We have attorneys ready to ensure that Bolingbrook elected officials process our requests and the requests of our resident contributors. 

The bill states that "requests made by news media shall not be considered "commercial purpose" when the principle purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information concerning news and current or passing events, for articles of opinion or features of interest to the public.

It further states that news media means a newspaper, or news service, or other periodical issued at regular intervals, whether in print or electronic format.

We do not fall under "Recurrent Requester" because we have not requested excessive documents. They cannot charge for the requests because it is noted that our site is not considered a "cpmmercial request".

Any of our writers should be aware that if the bill passes, the FOIA request needs to contain the language that it is requested for a waiver or reduction of fees since it is in the public's best interest and the purpose is to access and disseminate information regarding the health, safety, and welfare or the legal rights of the general public and is not for the principal purpose or commercial benefit.