HB4681 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

FOIA-MASS REQ & VEXATIOUS REQ
Last Action
2/06/2026 - House: Referred to Rules Committee
House Sponsors
Rep. Daniel Didech
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
5 ILCS 140/2  from Ch. 116, par. 202
5 ILCS 140/3  from Ch. 116, par. 203
5 ILCS 140/3.7 new  
5 ILCS 140/11  from Ch. 116, par. 211
5 ILCS 140/12 new  
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definition of "commercial purpose". Defines "business day" or "working day", as well as "mass requester" and "vexatious requester". Requires a public body to respond to a request for records submitted by a mass requester within 21 days after receipt. Sets forth procedures and requirements regarding mass requesters. Provides that it is a violation of the Act to knowingly obtain a public record as a mass requester without disclosing the person's status as a mass requester, if requested to do so by the public body. Requires persons denied access to inspect or copy any public record to first notify the public body of intent to file suit and provide an opportunity to confer orally, within 10 business days after receipt of the notification, about curing or resolving the issue. Requires a court to award a public body attorney's fees and costs against a commercial purpose requester, a recurrent requester, a mass requester, or a vexatious requester. Allows a public body to petition the Public Access Counselor for relief from a requester that the public body alleges is a vexatious requester, including an order that the public body need not comply with the current request and other requests from the vexatious requester for up to one year. Sets forth procedures and requirements regarding vexatious requesters. Makes conforming changes.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/29/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Daniel Didech
2/06/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/06/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee