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92_HB3078gms
STATE OF ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SPRINGFIELD, 62706
GEORGE H. RYAN
GOVERNOR
August 10, 2001
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9 (b) of the Illinois
Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto House Bill 3078 entitled
"AN ACT concerning freedom of information."
House Bill 3078 amends the Freedom of Information Act. It
specifies that the amount of funds, expended or collected, by
a public body in agreements that would settle actual or
threatened litigation, becomes public record. it would not
include agreements settling actual or threatened litigation
by persons committed to the Illinois Department of
Corrections.
Many governmental entities enter into settlement
agreements with the understanding that neither party will
disclose the details of the settlement. House Bill 3078
provides for the release of settlement agreements, and may
effectively deter governmental entities from settling any
litigation. Furthermore, this legislation may lead to higher
settlements if governmental entities are compelled to
disclose the amount of settlements. Finally, in listening to
the concerns brought to my attention by local officials, it
is my opinion that this bill would put governmental entities
at a disadvantage in defending themselves against litigation.
For these reasons, I hereby veto and return House Bill
3078.
Sincerely,
s/GEORGE H. RYAN
Governor