Quinn Seals Police Evaluations

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Employees working in state law enforcement would have their performance evaluations sealed from the public under an amendatory veto issued by Gov. Pat Quinn this week but all other evaluations will remain accessible.

The bill Quinn signed originally blocked all public employees’ performance evaluations from being accessed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, Quinn said in his veto message that such a broad exemption would undermine FOIA reform approved just last year.

Quinn said law enforcement evaluations were different, though, since they could be used to influence the criminal justice process. “If disclosed, these evaluations could be used by criminal suspects or defendants to undermine a police investigation or attack the credibility and integrity of a police officer."

Opponents say it is too soon to make any changes to the new FOIA regulations. “This is poor public policy on so many levels. The new FOIA law needs to be given time to work before being assaulted with attempts to make changes and exemptions," Dennis DeRossett, executive director of the Illinois Press Association, said in a written statement.

“It was commonsense legislation to preserve the confidentiality of private records containing personal info ... to ensure that managers at all levels of government know that their evaluations will serve their intended purpose,” said Anders Lindall, spokesman for Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, state government's largest union.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/quinn-wants-police-evaluations-sealed.html