The State Journal-Register v. The University of Illinois Springfield

Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Freedom of Information Act
Citation
Case Number: 
2013 IL App (4th) 120881
Decision Date: 
Thursday, August 8, 2013
District: 
4th Dist
Division/County: 
Sangamon Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Justice: 
HOLDER WHITE
Reporter and newspaper filed complaint for enforcement of two FOIA requests for documents about resignation of three university softball coaches. Witness statements are exempt from disclosure under Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA. Public interest outweighs personal privacy in, and Educational Privacy Act is inapplicable to, redacted portions of coaches' statements describing events preceding act of sexual misconduct. Settlement payment amount and details of reasoning for settlement are sufficient to satisfy legitimate interests of public without disclosing name of student involved. (POPE and HARRIS, concurring.)