Local Government Law

legislation sent to the Governor deleted all changes to FOIA requests that had previously been in the bill. 

Yesterday's E-Clips was incorrect that stated changes were made to the FOIA statute for responding to FOIA requests during the COVID crisis. This part of the bill was deleted before it was sent to the Governor. My mistake and apologies.  

(Sims, D-Chicago; Burke, D-Oak Lawn) extends the time limit to pass the annual appropriation ordinance or annual budget for the duration of the disaster or emergency and for 60 days thereafter if a disaster, state of emergency, or national emergency is declared within the 60 days preceding the end of the first quarter of a municipality's fiscal year or within 60 days preceding the end of a municipality’s fiscal year. The disaster must impact the municipality. It also provides that during the extended period the municipality may expend sums of money up to amounts budgeted or appropriated for those objects and purposes in the previous fiscal year to defray all necessary expenses and liabilities of the municipality. This Act took effect on June 12, 2020. 

(Sims, D-Chicago; Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn) allows meetings to be conducted by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of the members if a declaration of disaster has been issued and the public body complies with certain requirements. This Act took effect on June 12, 2020. 

(Sims, D-Chicago; Burke, D-Oak Lawn) extends the time limit to pass the annual appropriation ordinance or annual budget for the duration of the disaster or emergency and for 60 days thereafter if a disaster, state of emergency, or national emergency is declared within the 60 days preceding the end of the first quarter of a municipality's fiscal year or within 60 days preceding the end of a municipality's fiscal year. The disaster must impact the municipality. It also provides that during the extended period the municipality may expend sums of money up to amounts budgeted or appropriated for those objects and purposes in the previous fiscal year to defray all necessary expenses and liabilities of the municipality. Senate Bill 2135 takes effect on the Governor's signature. 

(Sims, D-Chicago; Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn) allows meetings to be conducted by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of the members if a declaration of disaster has been issued and the public body complies with certain requirements. It takes effect upon the Governor’s signature. 
 

(Sims, D-Chicago; Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn) creates an exception for any public body that fails to respond to a FOIA request that was due on or after March 9, 2020 and within 15 days of the Governor signing this bill into law if the public body provides a response by the later of 30 days after Senate Bill 2135 becomes law or within the time period required under FOIA for the relevant request. It becomes law on the Governor’s signature. This section is repealed January 1, 2022. 

(Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn) amends the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act to adjust it for the COVID-19 crisis. It's been heard in House Executive today at 9:00 a.m.