Officers' suit for release of records to felon can continue

CHICAGO (AP) - A federal judge has given the green light to a lawsuit by seven police officers against the Chicago suburb of Aurora after an official sent their addresses, phone numbers and other personnel records to a purported street-gang leader they helped imprison to serve an 88-year sentence.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reports the documents were sent to the felon in 2015 in response to an open-records request. Judge Sara Ellis last week rejected a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

She noted some officers have had to install new home security systems or even move to ensure their family's safety. She said the government doesn't necessarily have an obligation to protect people from harm by something officials do. But they can be liable in circumstances where they create the danger.

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Information from: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin , http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com