FOIA bill more flim-flam

Freedom-of-information legislation ought to promote openness in government, not more secrecy.

Our legislators once again are playing games with the state’s Freedom of Information Act, and a vigilant Gov. Pat Quinn is well advised to veto this latest example of political chicanery.

Under the guise of targeting “voluminous” requesters, defined as those individuals who make too many FOIA requests to suit some public officials, the proposed legislation would allow units of government to delay responding and charge substantial fees, payable in advance, to those who want to know what their government is doing.