Attorney General Kwame Raoul released the Public Access Counselor Annual Report on Mar. 16, detailing over 6,000 new matters received in 2025 and highlighting efforts to increase transparency in Illinois government.
The report comes during Sunshine Week, a national initiative promoting open government and freedom of information. The Public Access Counselor (PAC) works to resolve disputes regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), aiming to ensure that government agencies remain transparent and accessible.
Raoul said, “During Sunshine Week, I’m proud to highlight the dedication of my office’s Public Access Bureau in ensuring government agencies in Illinois are transparent and accessible to the residents they serve. The statistics in this year’s report highlight increased interest from the public in obtaining information about the workings of their government. To ensure public bodies understand their obligations under Illinois’ transparency laws, I encourage all appointed and elected officials and FOIA officers to attend one of the many critical and thorough trainings led by the Public Access Bureau throughout the year.”
According to the official website, the Illinois Attorney General advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors according to the official website. The office also handled thousands of consumer complaints each year according to the official website and aimed to protect consumers, promote safer communities, and advocate for environmental and rights issues according to the official website. Efforts extended across Illinois according to the official website, with partnerships alongside law enforcement supporting crime victims and promoting open government according to the official website. Services offered included complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights according to the official website.
The PAC received 6,080 formal requests for assistance last year—an average of more than 500 per month—and has reviewed over 66,000 matters since its creation in 2010. In addition to issuing binding opinions that clarify legal questions about transparency laws, such as those involving police video recordings or municipal committee meetings, PAC staff conducted webinars attended by more than 3,600 individuals.
The annual report also details how non-binding determinations helped resolve disputes between journalists or union representatives and local governments through negotiation or review processes. Groups interested in training can contact special.events@ilag.gov for more information or visit Raoul’s website for resources on sunshine laws.
