The Illinois Attorney General is asking Champaign Assistant City Attorney Laura Jayne Hall to explain why she fully denied a recent public records request. The request was related to alleged “threats” claimed by City Officials after their much-criticized passage of an emergency ordinance which gives Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen martial-law powers during the COVID-19 pandemic. An article outlining Hall’s initial denial can be found here: City of Champaign Refuses to Release Documents on Alleged “Threats” Issued After COVID-19 Emergency Ordinance
After Laura Hall fully denied the release of any public records, the requester issued an appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Assistant Attorney General Shannon Barnaby determined that the denial warranted further investigation, and has required Hall to issue copies of the records denied, and has also required Hall to the explain the legal reasons for the denial. Hall has seven days to respond.
