Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
FOIA
High school principal wrote letter in response to reprimand and "Separation of Employment" letter:from school superintendent. Local newspaper filed FOIA complaint against school district which refused its FOIA request for copy of letter. School district eventually released letter, after having claimed various exemptions from FOIA disclosure. As school released rebuttal letter before the court ordered any relief in the case, the newspaper was not a "prevailing party" under FOIA and thus not entitled to attorney fees. Court properly imposed $2500 civil penalty against school district for willfully and intentionally violating FOIA by raising a third exemption after the first two exemptions were denied. (McLAREN and BIRKETT, concurring.)