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92_HB3209gms
STATE OF ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SPRINGFIELD, 62706
GEORGE H. RYAN
GOVERNOR
August 3, 2001
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly
I have signed House Bill 3209, which amends "AN ACT
concerning freedom of information." This bill exempts
"computer graphic systems" from inspection and copying
covered under the Freedom of Information Act if the
disclosure of those documents could reasonably be expected to
produce private gain or public loss.
Although the intent of this bill is to protect the
investment public bodies make in integrating geographic
information systems with other overlays of public records
such as parcels, the wording in the bill is vague and could
be defined too broadly. The term used in the bill, "computer
graphic system," does not intuitively define the date
contained on any system but the term "system" could be
construed to refer only to hardware or software that pertains
to any type of graphic representation.
Moreover, at a time when I am encouraging state agencies
and local governments to collaboratively provide more
information over the Internet, this bill has the potential to
discourage local and state entities from providing this type
of integrated date online. The lack of a specific definition
for the type of overlay data that should be protected from
private gain could be a reason for concern and lead to
misunderstanding. Without this type of definition, there is
not a limit on the type of date that is paid for with public
funds that in fact should be shared online with the public.
While I support the intent of House Bill 3209,
legislation should be pursued that clarifies these issues and
balances the immense costs of maintaining public
accountability and public access with limits on the
commercialization and exploitation of public data for private
gain.
With this clarification, I have signed House Bill 3209.
Sincerely,
s/GEORGE H. RYAN
Governor