{
 "topic": "FOIA section 7(1)(v) - Security vulnerability assessments and response plans",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 140/7(1)(v)",
 "family": "FOIA exemptions (section 7)",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/foia-7-1-v/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 7,
  "no_violation": 1,
  "no_determination": 1,
  "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 withheld record contains factual information (like ALPR locations, names, departments, or building identifiers) that does not describe a security measure, vulnerability assessment, or response plan.",
    "why": "The Bureau has consistently found that mere factual or identifying records are not exempt under 7(1)(v) because they do not reveal security strategies designed to prevent or respond to attacks.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "ALPR camera cost, lease period, and locations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83705/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Animal research protocol and medical records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-35091/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The record is a routine law enforcement or operational document (such as a police log, use of force report, or standard employee list) that does not involve a targeted security assessment or plan.",
    "why": "The exemption is limited to measures specifically designed to identify, prevent, or respond to potential attacks; routine administrative or enforcement records fall outside that scope.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police activity logs for a park",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-82465/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-6"
     },
     {
      "title": "Employee work-from-home policies and remote-work approval lists",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62833/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body withheld surveillance footage, but you can show the camera is used for routine monitoring or general safety, not a specific security measure designed to prevent terrorist or similar attacks.",
    "why": "The body must demonstrate the camera is a security measure aimed at preventing attacks, and the PAC ruled that routine monitoring does not qualify.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police security camera footage of a building entrance during a protest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84026/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The information you requested is already publicly known or non-specific, and the public body has not explained how disclosure would undermine the effectiveness of any security measure.",
    "why": "The Bureau requires the body to show that release would jeopardize security; publicly available or vague information does not meet that burden.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The record contains surveillance video from a sensitive transit platform (like CTA) and the body can reasonably show that release would jeopardize the effectiveness of its security measures.",
    "why": "In such a case, the Bureau upheld the exemption because disclosure could reveal security blind spots or methods.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Train platform video of a fall onto the tracks",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80130/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body has already established that the record is exempt under another FOIA provision.",
    "why": "The Public Access Counselor may decline to address the 7(1)(v) claim at all, so your challenge on this ground becomes moot even if it might have been strong.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school district's tip-line policies and security protocols",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81643/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "State that the withheld information is factual or merely identifies people/departments/buildings, not a vulnerability assessment or security measure — cite D1497.2 or D857.3.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "ALPR camera cost, lease period, and locations",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83705/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Animal research protocol and medical records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-35091/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Argue that the record is a routine operational document (like a police log or use of force report), not a plan designed to respond to potential attacks — cite D1078.1 or D918.6.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police activity logs for a park",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-82465/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-6"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the record is video, point out that the camera does not appear to be a targeted security measure against attacks, but merely a routine monitoring tool — cite D1105.1.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police security camera footage of a building entrance during a protest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84026/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Show that the information is already public or non-specific, and demand that the body explain exactly how disclosure would undermine security — cite D976.2.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether the record is a list of employees, names, or locations that do not describe security systems or response procedures.",
   "Whether the information already appears in public sources, news reports, or the body's own non-restricted publications.",
   "The stated purpose of any camera or footage (e.g., routine monitoring, traffic enforcement, general safety vs. specific anti-terrorism use).",
   "Any evidence that the record is part of ordinary law enforcement administration rather than a vulnerability assessment or security plan."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any record held by law enforcement or any mention of security automatically qualifies for the 7(1)(v) exemption.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police activity logs for a park",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-82465/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/#issue-6"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Forgetting to check whether the public body also cited another FOIA exemption; if it did, the challenge on 7(1)(v) alone may not be enough.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A school district's tip-line policies and security protocols",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81643/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that redacting names, departments, or building identifiers is always justified as a security measure.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Animal research protocol and medical records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-35091/#issue-3"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Accepting a denial without requiring the public body to explain specifically how disclosure would jeopardize the effectiveness of a security measure.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "A slide deck on civil unrest emergency response strategies",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70212/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police security camera footage of a building entrance during a protest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84026/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; each case depends on its specific facts, so verify the cited PDFs and consider obtaining legal advice for your situation."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Withholding ALPR locations under section 7(1)(v)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "ALPR locations are factual, not vulnerability assessments or security measures designed to prevent attacks, so section 7(1)(v) does not exempt them.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "ALPR camera cost, lease period, and locations",
    "date": "2026-04-23",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83705/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 24-008, issued June 21, 2024",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2024-pac-81170/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53388, issued November 26, 2018",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University v. Illinois Department of Human Rights, 159 Ill. 2d 206, 211 (1994)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Duffy v. Illinois Department of Human Rights, 354 Ill. App. 3d 236, 239 (2004)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Sun-Times v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2021 IL App (1st) 192028",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20192028/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding surveillance camera footage under section 7(1)(v)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must show the camera is a security measure designed to prevent attacks, not routine monitoring, to withhold footage under section 7(1)(v).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police security camera footage of a building entrance during a protest",
    "date": "2025-07-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84026/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Chicago Sun-Times v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2021 IL App (1st) 192028",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20192028/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48212",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 62247",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 65558",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 72032",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 70528",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of police log columns under section 7(1)(v)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "A public body must show that redacted records are vulnerability assessments, security measures, or response plans designed to identify, prevent, or respond to potential attacks, not merely routine law enforcement activity.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police activity logs for a park",
    "date": "2024-09-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-82465/"
   },
   "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": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48212, issued November 2, 2017",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Chicago Sun-Times v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2021 IL App (1st) 192028",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20192028/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 71393, issued June 27, 2022",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Applicability of section 7(1)(v) exemption",
   "outcome": "no_determination",
   "rule": "Because the records are exempt under section 7(1)(ll), the Public Access Counselor declines to address the applicability of section 7(1)(v).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district's tip-line policies and security protocols",
    "date": "2025-06-24",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81643/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of CTA platform video footage under section 7(1)(v)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "CTA platform video footage is exempt from disclosure under section 7(1)(v) because its release could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the effectiveness of CTA's security measures.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Train platform video of a fall onto the tracks",
    "date": "2024-08-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-80130/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Chicago Sun-Times v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2021 IL App (1st) 192028",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2021%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20192028/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 70876, issued April 21, 2022",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(v) redactions of slide deck",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Public body must show disclosure would undermine effectiveness; publicly known or non-specific information does not qualify for exemption.",
   "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": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 21-005, issued June 2, 2021, at 7",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2021-pac-67100/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48212, issued November 2, 2017, at 7",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Part five withheld under section 7(1)(v)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7(1)(v) applies only to vulnerability assessments, security measures, and response policies or plans concerning potential attacks, not to a basic employee list.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Employee work-from-home policies and remote-work approval lists",
    "date": "2021-09-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-62833/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7(1)(v) vulnerability assessments",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Use of force reports are not vulnerability assessments or response policies, so the exemption does not apply.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police use-of-force reports for 2017",
    "date": "2018-09-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-53887/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48212",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of names under security measures exemption",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Records merely identifying names of people, departments, companies, and buildings are not vulnerability assessments or security measures.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Animal research protocol and medical records",
    "date": "2015-07-14",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-35091/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  }
 ]
}