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Ill. Attorney General: Rosemont must release contract info

Rosemont violated the Freedom of Information Act when it denied requests for details about Garth Brooks' appearance at Allstate Arena, the Illinois Attorney General's office determined.

The village has fought for months to protect documents related to country star Garth Brooks' 11-concert event in September, specifically information about incentives or a rebate that might have drawn Brooks to the venue.

The decision by Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office Friday is the latest in a back-and-forth between the Chicago Tribune, which originally requested the information in September, and the village, which called the information "trade secrets" and passed a village ordinance in November protecting such information from FOIA.

The attorney general's decision stated that the November village ordinance does not supersede FOIA and that negotiated contracts with public bodies do not constitute trade secrets.

If Rosemont chooses not to comply, it can seek a judicial review within 35 days through the circuit court of Cook or Sangamon counties.

The attorney general's decision comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed Thursday by the Better Government Association that contends that the village must release copies of contracts related to venues operated by the village, specifically the Allstate Arena and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

The village denied the BGA's request, saying such information was exempt because it constituted "trade secrets" and also citing the Nov. 12 ordinance that provides for the "protection of confidential financial and proprietary information" about village-owned entertainment venues from public disclosure under FOIA.

The village has long contended that incentives are an important tool in attracting shows that might consider other venues and that disclosing certain information could make it lose its competitive edge against privately owned venues who don't have to disclose info.

"We're about the big picture," Mayor Brad Stephens has said previously. "Hotel and restaurant taxes 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 Spokesman Gary Mack expressed disappointment Saturday with the attorney general's decision.

"Of course, there are a variety of things that can still be done, and Rosemont is now going to examine what those various mechanisms are," Mack said. "There's a period of (35) days, during which time the mayor and legal counsel will review this opinion and will make a decision about what course of action the village wants to take."

On Friday afternoon before the ruling came out, Stephens said he would need to consult with village attorneys before deciding how to respond.

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