Attorney General Kwame Raoul released the Public Access Counselor Annual Report on Mar. 16, detailing over 6,000 new matters received in 2025 and other activities of the Public Access Counselor (PAC) last year.
The report comes during Sunshine Week, a period dedicated to promoting government transparency. The PAC is responsible for resolving disputes about compliance with Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), as well as training thousands of individuals on these laws through webinars, seminars, and conferences across the state.
“During Sunshine Week, I’m proud to highlight the dedication of my office’s Public Access Bureau in ensuring government agencies in Illinois are transparent and accessible to the residents they serve,” Raoul said. “The statistics in this year’s report highlight increased interest from the public in obtaining information about the workings of their government. To ensure public bodies understand their obligations under Illinois’ transparency laws, I encourage all appointed and elected officials and FOIA officers to attend one of the many critical and thorough trainings led by the Public Access Bureau throughout the year.”
Since its creation in 2010, more than 66,000 matters have been submitted to the PAC for review. In 2025 alone, there were 6,080 formal requests for assistance related to FOIA and OMA—an average exceeding 500 new matters per month. The PAC issued 16 binding opinions last year that provided legal guidance on transparency issues. Notable cases included a decision requiring Burr Ridge Police Department to release a video recording related to police misconduct after determining it was not exempt from disclosure, and an opinion directing Peru’s Pool Committee to comply with open meetings requirements due to its governmental function.
The PAC also resolved disputes through non-binding determinations and informal negotiations. For example, Hanover Park agreed to release emails with fewer redactions after discussions involving a journalist and village officials. In another case, East Alton School District No. 13 Board of Education was cleared after review confirmed no improper discussion occurred during a closed session meeting.
According to the official website, the Illinois Attorney General advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors. The office handled thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aimed at protecting consumers, promoting safer communities and advocating for environmental and rights issues according to its official website. Its advocacy efforts extended across Illinois according to its official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government according to its official website. The office also offered services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights according to its official website.
Any group interested in attending or hosting a training can contact special.events@ilag.gov for more information or visit Raoul’s website for resources on sunshine laws.
