Ill. public records law frustrates newspaper group investigation

The Small Newspaper Group recently completed a seven-month investigation that examined Illinois’ teacher disciplinary system, and filed 300 public records requests across the nation in doing so.

While the investigation showed just how far Illinois’ system lags behind those of other states, among other findings, it also demonstrated how Illinois public records law frustrates non-governmental attempts to scrutinize the system by making teacher disciplinary case files exempt from disclosure.