It would allow both state investigators and civil plaintiffs to recover legal costs. Backed by Attorney General Jim Ryan, House Bill 3469 is in part a response to a statewide test of open records laws led by the Associated Press. No reports on the results of the test appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times or the Chicago Tribune. Ryan immediately pledged to launch his own investigation of the laws and to propose revisions where needed. The news media is third in percentage of inquiries, behind government officials.
New legislation allows court costs to be awarded in successful suits.