From Pantagraph.com:

Despite wariness from some cities and towns, state lawmakers are pressing forward with a proposal they say will shine more light on public records.

Under legislation backed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the General Assembly is attempting to improve the state’s Freedom of Information act.

Not only would the rewrite toughen the penalties for withholding public documents from $100 to $1,000, but it also would give Madigan’s office new powers to force public officials to turn over records.

The push comes against the backdrop of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration, which made it a practice to delay or deny many Freedom of Information Act requests. Since taking office in January, Gov. Pat Quinn has ordered state agencies to be more open with public records.

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