High court opens state's attorneys to FOIA

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Supreme Court has declared that state's attorneys are government officials subject to state public-records law.

The unanimous ruling released Thursday forces county prosecutors to release public records under the Freedom of Information Act. The law is intended to improve government transparency.

The case began when a reporter asked for emails between employees in the Kendall County state's attorney's office. The office denied the request, claiming it was part of the judicial branch of government, which is exempt from the act.

An appellate court found that state's attorney offices aren't public bodies subject to the open information law. The state Supreme Court reversed that ruling.

State's attorneys prosecute crime but also act as lawyers for county boards, advising officials on zoning issues, contracts and more.