New Rosemont law aims to keep some financial information secret

Rosemont wants to keep certain information about the operation of its convention center, arena and theater from being released to the public because officials say it would put them at a competitive disadvantage to private entities.

The village board Wednesday unanimously approved an ordinance that provides for the “protection of confidential financial and proprietary information” about village-owned entertainment venues from public disclosure under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

The ordinance could prevent, for example, disclosure of the amount of incentives village officials give in an attempt to lure conventions to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, or the amount of rent those shows pay the village.

While Mayor Brad Stephens said officials have contemplated passing such an ordinance for some time, the ordinance appeared to be in response to an August Chicago Sun-Times story that detailed how the village has used $3.7 million in state funds to subsidize dozens of events at the convention center, such as the International Gem & Jewelry Show.

Stephens argues the incentives are an important tool in attracting shows that might have considered other venues. Having financial information about the shows in the public realm could make Rosemont lose its “competitive edge,” when other shows come to the village asking for similar incentives, Stephens said.

“We're about the big picture,” Stephens said. “Hotel and restaurant tax matter to the bottom line, and if we have to give you something at the top end, it'll help us at the back end.”

Rosemont's Allstate Arena competes with other publicly owned venues, such as the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, but it also competes with private stadiums like the United Center in Chicago — and such venues don't have to release financial information, Rosemont officials said.

Stephens said he believes current law is vague on what home rule authorities can and can't disclose publicly, thus necessitating the ordinance.

But he says he doesn't know if the Illinois attorney general's office will agree.

“We feel, within home rule, we're allowed to keep certain financial and proprietary information from being subject to FOIA,” Stephens said.

The state's FOIA law states that “all records relating to the obligation, receipt, and use of public funds of the state, units of local government, and school districts are public records subject to inspection and copying by the public.”

Whether Rosemont's ordinance passes muster might only be determined once a records request is made, denied by Rosemont, then appealed to the attorney general's public access counselor.

Officials from the attorney general's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.