Chicago Sued for FOIA Non-Response

Source: Judicial Watch press release

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has filed an open records lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department related to the department’s policies concerning illegal immigration. Judicial Watch’s lawsuit, (Judicial Watch, Inc. v. Chicago Police Department, #06CH28084), filed on December 22, 2006 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, asks the court to compel the Chicago Police Department to comply with Judicial Watch’s October 13, 2006 Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking documents pertaining to policies and procedures governing the interaction between Chicago police officers and known or suspected illegal aliens.

The organization made a FOIA request of the Chicago Police Department back in October, seeking information on its policies regarding interacting with illegal aliens. Chicago is, of course, a sanctuary city. The request was prompted by Cook County's consideration of a resolution to expand lawlessness in northeastern Illinois by adopting a sanctuary policy for the entire county.
To date, the CPD has not only failed to provide the requested policy information, but has failed to respond at all.

“Sanctuary policies are affront to the rule of law, worsen illegal immigration crises, and put American citizens at risk,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Local police departments cannot continue to undermine federal immigration law. The Chicago Police Department should be required to comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act so taxpayers can understand its immigration policies.”

As a Chicago resident and taxpayer myself, I couldn't agree more.

Technorati Tags
Illegal Immigration * Sanctuary * Chicago * Cook County * Judicial Watch * Freedom of Information Act