Except as otherwise indicated, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires that public records be made available to all citizens for inspection and copying. Fifteen types of records are exempt from disclosure, including any information specified as having a privacy interest, certain criminal history record information, records that relate to or affect the security of correctional institutions and detention facilities, trade secrets, and communications between a public body and an attorney or auditor representing the public body that would not be subject to discovery in litigation. The State Records Act contains provisions on the data and information that is to be collected and maintained by the State, as well as the powers and duties of the Secretary of State as the State Archivist and Records Administrator. Provisions also cover the preservation, dissemination, and security of records. The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois mandates the development of a separate statewide statistical police contact recordkeeping system for the study of juvenile delinquency. Further, the content of criminal history and criminal identification records is specified. Parameters for the use of conviction records to conduct background checks for the registration and licensing of private detectives and security officers are specified. The Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act establishes uniform policy for gaining access to and disseminating conviction information maintained by the State. It also establishes guidelines and priorities that support effective law enforcement and ongoing criminal investigations, as well as ensures that conviction information is made accessible within appropriate time frames. It further ensures the accuracy and completeness of conviction information and establishes procedures for correcting errors and providing individuals with redress of grievances when inaccurate or incomplete information is disseminated. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act coordinates the use of information in the criminal justice system, promulgates effective criminal justice information policy, encourages the improvement of criminal justice agency procedures and practices with respect to information, and provides new information technologies. Further, it protects the integrity of criminal history record information while ensuring the citizen's right to privacy.
Compendium of State Privacy and Security Legislation: 1997 Overview - Illinois; Freedom of Information
NCJ Number
170049
Date Published
1997
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This is a 1997 overview of Illinois law pertinent to the privacy and security of criminal justice information.
Abstract