Illinois2026Active
HB0021
HB0021: Excluding Junk Mail from Public Records
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:00 AM
In one sentence
This bill changes Illinois laws to define 'junk mail' and state that it is not a public record.
What it does
- Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by adding new definitions in Section 2.
- Defines the term 'junk mail'.
- States clearly that junk mail does not count as a public record under FOIA.
- Makes similar changes to the Local Records Act.
Who it affects
- Public bodies defined in the Freedom of Information Act, such as state agencies, counties, cities, and school districts.
- People who request records under FOIA or the Local Records Act.
Limits and unknowns
- The provided text does not give the specific definition of what counts as 'junk mail'.
- The effective date is not listed in the source material.
- Further details on how agencies must handle these records are not included.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- A state law that lets people ask to see records held by public agencies.
- Public record
- Documents created or used by a government body for official business, now excluding junk mail.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
FOIA/LOCAL RECORDS-JUNK MAIL