{
 "topic": "FOIA section 7(1)(f) - Preliminary drafts, notes, and deliberative materials",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 140/7(1)(f)",
 "family": "FOIA exemptions (section 7)",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/foia-7-1-f/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 25,
  "no_violation": 26,
  "no_determination": 0,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": {
  "generated_by": "AI summary of the decisions listed on this page; not legal advice; verify each decision against its PDF",
  "when_a_challenge_is_strong": [
   {
    "text": "The record is a communication with an outside party that has its own interests, not acting as a consultant without independent interests.",
    "why": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts only inter- or intra-agency predecisional deliberative materials. Third-party submissions advancing their own interests are not such materials.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Tax incentive program applications",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85453/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails with a contractor about curb and gutter work",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83108/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Communications about scheduling make-up school days",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58746/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "Draft contract language and salary schedules from union negotiations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41667/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence between a governor's office and a former agency director",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36017/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails between four individuals over three months",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69899/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The record contains purely factual information, not intertwined with predecisional discussions.",
    "why": "Purely factual material is not exempt under section 7(1)(f) unless inextricably intertwined with predecisional discussions. The public body must prove that intertwining.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Property assessment documentation and calculations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80093/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-6"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police case reports and an internal software manual",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51718/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/#issue-12"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence about state hiring sent to a revenue department",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37067/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about an investigation into a school district's finances",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36450/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The record is a final policy, training material, or reflects a final decision, not predecisional.",
    "why": "Records that disseminate established policy or reflect final decisions are not predecisional or deliberative, so they are not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An administrative law judge bench book on vehicle enforcement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71954/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Budget reports by a state budget office consultant",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37306/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A school official's emails about morning announcements",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38873/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The head of the public body publicly cited and identified the specific record to support a policy or course of action.",
    "why": "The exemption is waived when the head of the public body publicly cites and identifies the record.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A budget comparison document presented to a board",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-34218/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The record is an internal communication (intra-agency or inter-agency with aligned interests) that is predecisional and reflects opinions, recommendations, or the give-and-take of the deliberative process.",
    "why": "Such communications are exempt under section 7(1)(f) as predecisional deliberative material.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Communications and a legal memo from a city planning department",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85045/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Communications and a legal memo from a city planning department",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85045/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-4"
     },
     {
      "title": "A mayor's text messages with city officials",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69562/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence about classroom observations and integration",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53659/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence between a governor's office and a former agency director",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36017/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence between state attorneys general on environmental policy",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-42018/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The record is a consultant's report containing predecisional opinions and recommendations, even if final, where factual content is intertwined with deliberative material.",
    "why": "Consultant reports prepared to assist a public body's deliberative process fall within the exemption, even if the report is finished, when factual content is not severable from deliberative material.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Pension fund's redacted Real Estate Strategic Plan",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76974/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A consultant's study of a fire department's operations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65404/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Consultant's review of university athletics operations and contract",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50831/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Technical specifications for a waste water treatment plant",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36740/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The record is a preliminary draft or note reflecting mental impressions and deliberative process, not adopted as final.",
    "why": "Preliminary notes and drafts are exempt under section 7(1)(f) as they reveal the deliberative process.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Draft advertisements for a public safety sales tax",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83737/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Misconduct complaint records involving two city employees",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61760/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The head of the public body did not publicly cite and identify the specific record.",
    "why": "Without public citation and identification by the head of the body, the exemption is not waived.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Pension fund's redacted Real Estate Strategic Plan",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76974/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A consultant's study of a fire department's operations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65404/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Records on animal use in a medical residency program",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26247/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Technical specifications for a waste water treatment plant",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36740/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If the record is a communication with an outside party that has its own interests, argue that it is not exempt because section 7(1)(f) only protects inter- or intra-agency predecisional materials, not third-party submissions advancing their own interests.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Tax incentive program applications",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85453/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails with a contractor about curb and gutter work",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83108/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Communications about scheduling make-up school days",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58746/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "Draft contract language and salary schedules from union negotiations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41667/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence between a governor's office and a former agency director",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36017/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails between four individuals over three months",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69899/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the record contains purely factual information, argue that factual material is not exempt unless inextricably intertwined with predecisional discussions, and the public body must prove that intertwining.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Property assessment documentation and calculations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80093/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-6"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police case reports and an internal software manual",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51718/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/#issue-12"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence about state hiring sent to a revenue department",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37067/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about an investigation into a school district's finances",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36450/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the record is a final policy or training material, argue that it is not predecisional or deliberative because it reflects established policy.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An administrative law judge bench book on vehicle enforcement",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71954/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Budget reports by a state budget office consultant",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37306/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the head of the public body publicly cited and identified the specific record, argue that the exemption has been waived.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A budget comparison document presented to a board",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-34218/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether the record was sent to or received from an outside party with its own interests (e.g., a contractor, union, community group).",
   "Whether the record contains only factual data, such as statistics, dates, or background information, without opinions or recommendations.",
   "Whether the head of the public body publicly mentioned or relied on the specific record in a public statement or meeting.",
   "Whether the record is a final version of a policy, training manual, or decision, rather than a draft."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any communication with a third party is exempt under 7(1)(f). The exemption only applies if the third party is acting as a consultant without independent interests.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Tax incentive program applications",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85453/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails with a contractor about curb and gutter work",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83108/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Communications about scheduling make-up school days",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58746/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "Draft contract language and salary schedules from union negotiations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41667/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that purely factual material can be withheld as deliberative. Factual material is not exempt unless inextricably intertwined with predecisional discussions.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Property assessment documentation and calculations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80093/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/#issue-6"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-3"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police case reports and an internal software manual",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51718/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/#issue-12"
     },
     {
      "title": "Correspondence about state hiring sent to a revenue department",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37067/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Emails about an investigation into a school district's finances",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36450/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Arguing that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the exemption. Section 7(1)(f) does not involve a public interest balancing test.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/#issue-4"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that a public body's general discussion of a topic waives the exemption for specific records. The head must publicly cite and identify the specific record.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Records on animal use in a medical residency program",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26247/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A consultant's study of a fire department's operations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65404/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; outcomes depend on specific facts, and you should verify the full text of any cited decision."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Withholding third-party tax incentive applications under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts only inter- or intra-agency predecisional deliberative materials; applications submitted by third parties to advance their own interests are not such materials.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Tax incentive program applications",
    "date": "2025-06-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85453/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401, 407 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225, ¶ 19",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1, 8 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 21-004, issued May 24, 2021, at 6",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2021-pac-66968/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of emails on pending FOIA requests under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Emails among Department staff deliberating how to respond to FOIA requests are predecisional and deliberative, and thus exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Communications and a legal memo from a city planning department",
    "date": "2025-03-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85045/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865 (2010)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of emails on Zoning Board rules under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Emails between Department staff and alderman's office deliberating on Zoning Board rules are inter-agency predecisional communications exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Communications and a legal memo from a city planning department",
    "date": "2025-03-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85045/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 69562, issued March 23, 2022",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69562/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding draft advertisements under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Unadopted versions of advertisements are preliminary drafts that reveal predecisional deliberative process, even if completed and paid for, so they are exempt from disclosure.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Draft advertisements for a public safety sales tax",
    "date": "2024-12-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83737/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "United States Fish and Wildlife Service vs. Sierra Club, 592 U.S 261 (2021)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Heffernan vs. Azar, 417 F Supp. 3d 1 (D.D.C 2018)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of K-Five email under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) does not exempt communications with a third-party contractor whose interests are not aligned with the public body's interests.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails with a contractor about curb and gutter work",
    "date": "2024-11-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83108/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 248 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office, 2018 IL App (1st) 170455, ¶ 29",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225, ¶ 20",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "New York Times Co. v. United States DOJ, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20776, at *51 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 3, 2021)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fox News Network, LLC v. U.S. Department of Treasury, 739 F. Supp. 2d 515, 540 (S.D.N.Y. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "DOI v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1, 12 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 26456, issued December 31, 2013, at 3",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of predecisional deliberative records under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts predecisional deliberative material even after the underlying policy proposal is not adopted or circumstances change.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Internal communications on a property development project",
    "date": "2024-08-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81969/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 75506, issued July 20, 2023",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Applicants' individual score sheets withheld under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Internal evaluator score sheets are predecisional and deliberative because they reflect employees' opinions later aggregated to derive final scores.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
    "date": "2024-11-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC. Req. Rev. Ltr. 23527, issued August 20, 2013",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Aggregate score sheet withheld under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Aggregate scores are predecisional deliberative material because they are not dispositive of the final designation decision.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
    "date": "2024-11-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public citation and identification waiver of section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "No waiver because the head of DCEO did not publicly cite and identify the specific evaluative records, which did not exist at the time of the press conference.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
    "date": "2024-11-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Public interest balancing under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) does not involve weighing the public interest in disclosure; it exempts predecisional and deliberative records regardless of public interest.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Applications, scores, and evaluation notes for cultural districts program",
    "date": "2024-11-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80603/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Minnis v. United States Department of Agriculture, 737 F.2d 784 (9th Cir. 1984)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of emails with Illini Guardians and ICON",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Third-party communications are exempt only if the third party acts as a consultant without independent interests; the University failed to meet its burden.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Athletic department correspondence with an NIL group",
    "date": "2024-11-22",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80318/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Watkins v. McCarthy, 2012 IL App (1st) 100632, ¶ 36, 980 N.E.2d 733, 743 (2012)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2012%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20100632/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech International, Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374-75 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225, ¶ 20",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "New York Times Co. v. United States DOJ, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20776, at *51 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 3, 2021)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fox News Network, LLC v. U.S. Department of Treasury, 739 F. Supp. 2d 515, 540 (S.D.N.Y. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Klamath, 532 U.S. at 12",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of math calculations as work product",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Purely factual material is not exempt under section 7(1)(f) unless intertwined with predecisional discussions; sales ratio statistics and assessment comments are factual and must be disclosed, but a handwritten calculation reflecting a preliminary step may be redacted.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Property assessment documentation and calculations",
    "date": "2025-03-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80093/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Coastal States Gas Corp. v. Department of Energy, 617 F.2d 854, 868 (D.C. Cir 1980)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Watkins v. McCarthy, 2012 IL App (1st) 100632, ¶ 36",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2012%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20100632/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech International, Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374-75 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Hamilton Securities Group Inc. v. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 106 F. Supp. 2d 23, 33 (D.D.C. 2000)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune v. Cook Cty. Assessor's Office, 2018 IL App (1st) 170455, ¶ 18",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 54793, issued June 19, 2018, at 5",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.C. Cir 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding employer response under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts predecisional deliberative material, including third-party communications that play the same part in agency deliberation as internal documents.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Communications about a police background investigation for employment",
    "date": "2024-07-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79727/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401, 407 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "State Journal-Register v. University of Illinois Springfield, 2013 IL App (4th) 120881, ¶ 27",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120881/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225, ¶ 20",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 60986, issued October 13, 2022",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 59361, issued June 5, 2020",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding emails with employee under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Predecisional communications with an employee who is not part of the decision-making process are not deliberative and cannot be withheld under the deliberative process exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails about a school employee's compensation",
    "date": "2024-06-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-77963/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 248 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225, ¶ 19",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office, 2018 IL App (1st) 170455, ¶ 28",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of Real Estate Strategic Plan under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Consultant reports containing predecisional opinions and recommendations relied upon by the public body are exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Pension fund's redacted Real Estate Strategic Plan",
    "date": "2024-02-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76974/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 248 (2003)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Waiver of section 7(1)(f) by public citation and identification",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The head of the public body did not publicly cite and identify the record, so the exemption was not waived.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Pension fund's redacted Real Estate Strategic Plan",
    "date": "2024-02-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-76974/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for Bench Book",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The Bench Book is established policy and training material, not predecisional deliberative material, so it is not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An administrative law judge bench book on vehicle enforcement",
    "date": "2023-03-17",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-71954/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Dep't of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, 24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Coastal States Gas Corp. v. Department of Energy, 617 F.2d 854, 868 (D.C. Cir 1980)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att' y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 15- 015, issued December 29, 2015, at 7",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2015-pac-37506/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Stokes v. Brennan, 476 F.2d 699, 703 (5th Cir. 1973)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "American Immigration Council v. United States Department of Homeland Security, 905 F. Supp. 2d 206, 218 (D.D.C. 2012)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2661483/american-immigration-council-v-united-states-department-of-homeland/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 195 N.E.3d 719, 726 (2021), appeal denied, 175 N.E.3d 142 (Ill. 2021)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office, 109 N.E.3d 872, 880 (2018)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) redactions of slide deck",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Factual material and final decisions are not exempt as deliberative; only predecisional opinions on slides 55 and 56 were properly withheld.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
    "date": "2022-10-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Dep't of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401, 407 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "State Journal-Register v. University of Illinois Springfield, 2013 IL App 4th, 120881, ¶ 27, 994 N.E.2d 705, 713 (2014)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) withholding of background check records",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Predecisional deliberative material may be withheld, but purely factual information and third-party opinions are not exempt.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
    "date": "2024-05-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Dep't of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech Intern., Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶ 24",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.C. Cir 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Dep't of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding inter-agency emails with Public Defender under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "The deliberative process exemption does not apply to communications between public bodies with opposing interests, as they are not inter- or intra-agency.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails between four individuals over three months",
    "date": "2023-07-18",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69899/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office, 2018 IL App (1st) 170455",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "State Journal-Register v. University of Illinois Springfield, 2013 IL App (4th) 120881, 994 N.E.2d 705 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120881/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Fisher v. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2021 IL App (1st) 200225",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20200225/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Dep't of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 22-013",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2022-pac-73136/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 60989",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether redactions under section 7(1)(f) were proper",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Predecisional and deliberative material related to the formulation of agency policy is exempt from disclosure.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A mayor's text messages with city officials",
    "date": "2022-03-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69562/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office, 2018 IL App (1st) 170455",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 65053",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) redactions of internal deliberative communications",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Predecisional and deliberative internal communications reflecting the give and take of the deliberative process are exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
    "date": "2022-09-27",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Watkins v. McCarthy, 2012 IL App (1st) 100632",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2012%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20100632/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) redaction of Six Corners Chamber e-mail",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A third-party communication with an entity representing independent interests is not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
    "date": "2022-09-27",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) redaction of utilization rate tables",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Purely factual information not inextricably intertwined with predecisional discussions is not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails about a city-owned parking lot sale",
    "date": "2022-09-27",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-68657/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Watkins v. McCarthy, 2012 IL App (1st) 100632",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2012%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20100632/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding draft and final Fire Study under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A consultant's finished report prepared to assist a public body's deliberative process is exempt under section 7(1)(f), even if final, when factual content is intertwined with deliberative material.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A consultant's study of a fire department's operations",
    "date": "2021-09-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65404/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of the Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Waiver of section 7(1)(f) by publicly citing and identifying the Fire Study",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Approving invoices does not constitute publicly citing and identifying a record; the head of the public body must publicly refer to the record to support a policy or course of action.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A consultant's study of a fire department's operations",
    "date": "2021-09-09",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65404/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668, 994 N.E.2d 573 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) withholding of notes and drafts",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Preliminary notes and drafts reflecting mental impressions and deliberative process are exempt under 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Misconduct complaint records involving two city employees",
    "date": "2020-08-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-61760/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Cook County Assessor's Office",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20170455/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48868",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 58984",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 50756",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for community communications",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) does not exempt unsolicited communications from third parties with independent interests that are not part of the public body's internal deliberative process.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Communications about scheduling make-up school days",
    "date": "2023-09-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-58746/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Coastal States Gas Corp. v. Department of Energy",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 21-004",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2021-pac-66968/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) deliberative process redaction",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Factual use of force reports are not deliberative, but notations on whether force was effective may be redacted.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
    "date": "2018-09-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Watkins v. McCarthy, 2012 IL App (1st) 100632",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2012%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20100632/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 38173",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of predecisional deliberative emails under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts predecisional deliberative communications, including intertwined factual material, unless publicly cited by the public body's head.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Correspondence about classroom observations and integration",
    "date": "2019-02-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53659/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 13-015",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2013-pac-24905/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redacting inter-agency letter under deliberative process exemption",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Because the letter's corrective actions are not privileged under the Medical Studies Act, they are not exempt as inter-agency communications under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An internal investigation into a professor's research and IRB process",
    "date": "2019-02-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53007/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1, 14-15, 121 S. Ct. 1060, 1069 (2001)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for case status data",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) does not exempt purely factual material; CPD failed to show the case status data was deliberative.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police case reports and an internal software manual",
    "date": "2018-05-07",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-51718/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 13-015, issued September 24, 2013, at 7",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2013-pac-24905/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶ 24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2014)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.D.C. 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for consultant's report",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A consultant's report reflecting predecisional and deliberative material is exempt from disclosure unless the head of the public body publicly cites and identifies it.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Consultant's review of university athletics operations and contract",
    "date": "2018-07-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-50831/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 13-015",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2013-pac-24905/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of the Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding records under section 7(1)(f) deliberative process exemption",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(f) exempts predecisional, deliberative inter-agency communications expressing opinions or recommendations unless publicly cited by the public body head.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Correspondence between state attorneys general on environmental policy",
    "date": "2016-08-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-42018/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 I11. App. 3d 242, 247 1st Dist. 2003",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, 24, 7 N. E. 3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F. 3d 865, 876 (D. C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Dep't of Commerce, 90 F. Supp. 2d 9, 14 (D. D. C. 2000)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Missouri Coalition v. Environment v. United States Army Corps of Engineers, No. 4: 05CV02039FRB, 2007 WL 869487, at * 7 (E.D. Mo. Mar. 20, 2007)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Draft contract proposals and language under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Draft proposals exchanged with a third-party union are not intra-agency deliberative material and are not exempt under 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Draft contract language and salary schedules from union negotiations",
    "date": "2016-06-30",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41667/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Levy v. United States Postal Service, 567 F. Supp. 2d 162 (D.D.C. 1982)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 26456",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 20502",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Confidential memorandum to Board under 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A predecisional intra-agency memorandum containing analysis and recommendations is exempt under 7(1)(f) if not publicly cited by the public body's head.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Draft contract language and salary schedules from union negotiations",
    "date": "2016-06-30",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-41667/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Training records",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Training records consisting of schedules and outlines with dates, times, instructor names, and routes are factual and not predecisional or deliberative.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
    "date": "2018-04-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Survey responses withheld under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Employee survey responses containing opinions used in a public body's deliberative decision-making process are predecisional materials exempt from disclosure under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An employee survey from 2015",
    "date": "2016-05-12",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39705/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Dept. of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Lieber v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, 176 Ill. 2d 401, 407 (1997)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 248 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Pre-Auth. al13448, issued April 11, 2011",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding emails under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Pre-decisional deliberative records may be withheld, but records reflecting a final decision are not exempt and must be disclosed.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school official's emails about morning announcements",
    "date": "2016-06-30",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-38873/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 248 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶ 24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1, 13, 121 S. Ct. 1060, 1069 (2001)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding PowerPoint training materials under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Training materials that disseminate established policy are neither predecisional nor deliberative and are not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Budget reports by a state budget office consultant",
    "date": "2016-01-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37306/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 13-015",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2013-pac-24905/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Coastal States Gas Corp. v. Department of Energy, 617 F.2d 854 (D.C. Cir. 1980)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of the Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "American Immigration Council v. United States Department of Homeland Security, 905 F. Supp. 2d 206 (D.D.C. 2012)",
     "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2661483/american-immigration-council-v-united-states-department-of-homeland/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Leadership Conference on Civil Rights v. Gonzales, 404 F. Supp. 2d 246 (D.D.C. 2005)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Stokes v. Brennan, 476 F.2d 699 (5th Cir. 1973)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Margolis v. Director, Ill. Department of Revenue, 180 Ill. App. 3d 1084 (1st Dist. 1989)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for records concerning staffing communications",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Records that are purely factual and do not reflect deliberative give-and-take are not exempt as predecisional deliberative material under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Correspondence about state hiring sent to a revenue department",
    "date": "2016-02-26",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37067/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech Intern., Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.C. Cir 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Margolis v. Director, Ill. Department of Revenue, 180 Ill. App. 3d 1084, 1087 (1989)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withheld consultant records exempt as preliminary deliberative material",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Consultant-prepared records reflecting predecisional intra-agency deliberation for a public body fall within the section 7(1)(f) preliminary records exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Technical specifications for a waste water treatment plant",
    "date": "2015-09-25",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36740/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1, 11, 121 S. Ct. 1060, 1067 (2001)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Publicly cited and identified exception not triggered",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "The section 7(1)(f) exemption applies because the mayor, the head of the public body, did not cite or identify the withheld records.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Technical specifications for a waste water treatment plant",
    "date": "2015-09-25",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36740/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) exemption for e-mails",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "E-mails exchanging factual information between an investigator and a school official are not predecisional deliberative material and cannot be withheld under the deliberative process exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Emails about an investigation into a school district's finances",
    "date": "2015-11-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36450/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "The State Journal-Register v. University of Illinois-Springfield, 2013 IL App (4th) 120881",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20120881/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Judicial Watch, Inc. v. Dep't of Energy, 412 F.3d 125 (D.C. Cir. 2005)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding deliberative predecisional records under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Predecisional inter-agency and intra-agency records expressing opinions or recommendations are exempt from disclosure when not publicly cited by the public body's head.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Correspondence between a governor's office and a former agency director",
    "date": "2016-03-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36017/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech Intern., Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.C. Cir 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding factual and third-party emails under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Purely factual material and communications sent to third parties do not reflect a deliberative process and are not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Correspondence between a governor's office and a former agency director",
    "date": "2016-03-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-36017/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242, 247 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood, 344 Ill. App. 3d at 248",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Enviro Tech Intern., Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 371 F.3d 370, 374 (7th Cir. 2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶24, 7 N.E.3d 741, 748 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121846/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Public Citizen, Inc. v. Office of Management & Budget, 598 F.3d 865, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2010)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chemical Weapons Working Group v. U.S. E.P.A., 185 F.R.D. 1, 3 (D.C. Cir 1999)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dudman Communications v. Department of the Air Force, 815 F.2d 1565, 1568 (D.C. Cir. 1987)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(f) preliminary drafts exemption for budget documents",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body may not withhold preliminary drafts under section 7(1)(f) when the head of the body publicly cites and identifies the records, waiving the exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A budget comparison document presented to a board",
    "date": "2018-07-19",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-34218/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668, 994 N.E.2d 573 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "General contractor draft proposals as intra-agency records",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A third party with its own financial interest in the decision is not part of the public body, so its proposals are not intra-agency records exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
    "date": "2013-12-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Department of Interior v. Klamath Water Users Protective Ass'n, 532 U.S. 1 (2001)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Assistant City Manager's handwritten notes redaction",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Predecisional notes reflecting an employee's opinions are exempt under section 7(1)(f) unless the head of the public body publicly cited and identified them.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
    "date": "2013-12-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "City Manager memorandum to City Council",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A memorandum that merely provides factual background and requests input, without expressing opinions or formulating policy, is not exempt under section 7(1)(f).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Construction cost projections for parking garages",
    "date": "2013-12-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26456/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of emails under section 7(1)(f)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Public statement about a subject without citing or identifying specific records does not waive the deliberative process exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Records on animal use in a medical residency program",
    "date": "2017-02-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-26247/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Harwood v. McDonough, 344 Ill. App. 3d 242 (1st Dist. 2003)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Dumke v. City of Chicago, 2013 IL App (1st) 121668, 994 N.E.2d 573 (2013)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2013%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20121668/"
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}