Section 775.130  Release of Information to the Media

a)         Department news releases dealing with Department policies, investigations, audits, evaluations, or reviews shall be approved by the Director or his designee.

b)         The production of documentary television programs or films, as contrasted with short news segments, which involve Department clients or children for whom the Department is legally responsible and which portray the mission and activities of the Department may only be authorized by the Director.  Parental or caretaker approval is required for children for whom the Department is not legally responsible for participation in such programs or films if the programs and films are produced, financed, or authorized by the Department.

c)         The Guardianship Administrator, or his designee, shall be consulted and written approval obtained whenever children for whom the Department is legally responsible are to be featured in any audio-visual presentation directed toward the public.  This includes photographs, radio and television programs, or recordings.  Before such material is published, the Guardianship Administrator, or his designee, shall sign a release form specifying the allowable use of such production or products.  Such permission shall be subject to the following conditions:

1)         Participation on the part of the child has been voluntary;

2)         No photograph shall appear in any publication with faces masked to prevent identification;

3)         All material shall be directed toward increasing the public's understanding of conditions, needs or interests of the participating children; and

4)         Photographs taken for use in nationally circulated publications, including pictures for scientific, educational, or other special purposes, shall first be approved by the Director or his designee.

d)         All Department administrators shall take precautions to preserve the confidentiality of each client's relationship with the Department or its providers and to guard against exploitation or embarrassment to Department clients.

(Source:  New Section 775.130 renumbered from Section 775.120 and amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 17275, effective September 21, 1984)