Chicago Tribune and WBEZ filed joint motion to intervene in divorce proceedings between Petitioner (singer R Kelly) and his wife, seeking access to documents contained in a sealed court file. Court allowed them to intervene, unsealed portions of the file, but ordered certain portions redacted and to remain sealed. Court denied WBEZ's motion to clarify or modify sealing order. Court erred in redacting four paragraphs and the entire prayer for relief in wife's 2014 motion regarding custody, visitation, and appointment of evaluator and GAL. Those sections do not contain confidential information as to the children's medical care and do not support court's concern for best interests of the children. Protecting party from embarrassment is an impermissible basis to withhold material from the public. (HOFFMAN and ROCHFORD, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Intervention