Illinois FOIA & OMA Reference: 7(1)(q) https://illinoisfoia.org/exemptions/7-1-q/ 2025-04-22T00:00:00Z City of Centralia properly withheld business records under 7(1)(b), 7(1)(m), and 7(1)(q) https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-86063/ 2025-04-22T00:00:00Z A citizen requested business licensing and enforcement records from the City of Centralia, but the City partially denied the request, citing exemptions for private information, attorney-client communications, and examination data. The citizen challenged the partial denial, arguing the search was insufficient and the exemptions were misapplied. The Public Access Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General reviewed the records and concluded that the City conducted a reasonable search and properly appl McLean County School District No. 5 properly withheld teacher interview questions as examination data https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85882/ 2025-04-03T00:00:00Z A citizen asked a school district for their teacher interview questions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school district refused to release them, and the Attorney General's office agreed, stating that interview questions are considered 'examination data' that can be kept private to ensure a fair hiring process. This means the public does not have a right to access specific interview questions used by public employers. Chicago Park District properly withheld performance evaluations under Personnel Record Review Act https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81205/ 2024-05-08T00:00:00Z A former employee asked the Chicago Park District for copies of their past performance evaluations. The PAC explained that while employees have a right to see their own personnel files under a different law, FOIA specifically forbids public bodies from releasing performance evaluations. Because the law prohibits these records from being released through a FOIA request, the PAC closed the case. Will County Sheriff's Office properly redacted test questions under 7(1)(q) https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80480/ 2024-05-03T00:00:00Z A requester asked for emails regarding a specific questionnaire used by the Will County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office provided the emails but redacted the actual test questions to prevent cheating or compromising the test. The Attorney General's office agreed that these redactions were legal and appropriate. PAC cannot review University of Illinois FOIA denial for commercial purpose https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36229/ 2015-07-30T00:00:00Z A requester asked the University of Illinois for training materials to help his company win a government contract. The Attorney General's office decided it could not help him challenge the University's refusal to provide the records because the law prohibits the PAC from reviewing requests made for commercial purposes. The requester must now file a lawsuit in court if he wishes to pursue the records further.