Watchdogs sue Atlanta Public Library for alleged FOIA violations –

ATLANTA, IL. (ECWd) –

On March 21, 2019, the Edgar County Watchdogs filed an FOIA lawsuit in Logan County Circuit Court alleging that the Atlanta Public Library District violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying public records request for an unredacted copy of a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena issued to the Library.

It is obvious, thru an individual’s posting on Facebook that a redacted copy of the Subpoena has already been released, but when we submitted a request under the FOIA for a copy, the Library denied the request stating it was exempt.

The problem is the excuse they used for the exemption does not apply, as the case the library pointed to involved records that were sealed by the Judge. This subpoena was not sealed by any Judge.

Our attorney, Josh Burday, from Loevy & Loevy, had this to say:

“The Illinois Appellate Court did not allow former Governor Blagojevich to withhold grand jury subpoenas he received from the public and Atlanta Public Library cannot keep its grand jury subpoena secret here.”

It is unfortunate this library has decided to withhold public records from the public.

Copy of the lawsuit is below or can be downloaded at this link. You can also keep updated on the progress of this case through judici.com.

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