These records show the City of Urbana violating the FOIA by failing to adequately search for the specified records. The Illinois Attorney General ruled (PAC 62770) that while Urbana did not improperly withhold records, they did fail to conduct a reasonable search for records which they knew to exist. The effect is the same as improperly withholding records. City Clerk Charles Smyth handled the initial response, with which the PAC ultimately took issue. Urbana eventually provided additional records which demonstrated that they had intentionally and illegally withheld documents from three previous FOIA requests dating back nearly two years. The scandal involved Todd Rent, Michelle Brooks, Charlie Smyth, Wendy Hundley, and more recently, Curt Borman.
Urbana FOIA Appeal on 2020-F-187 (PAC 62770) Determination of Violation