Chicago Tribune files suit for state police records

The Chicago Tribune has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois State Police seeking the release of records about claims of possible improper political interference undermining state investigations.

The paper reports that state officials had originally indicated that police probes were closed, but when copies of records were requested by a Tribune reporter, the files were then officially reopened, and subsequently exempt under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

"If all it takes is a memo from a superior that says ‘open the file,’ then the public policy of allowing access to closed cases is totally defeated," Tribune attorney Donald Craven said.