Quinn OKs Law Giving More Time for FOIA Responses

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation that allows the state more time to respond to Freedom of Information Act from so-called "recurrent requesters."

Quinn's office says the Illinois governor signed the measure into law Friday and it takes effect immediately. The law also allows government entities to charge for the actual costs of retrieving information.

The move brought criticism from some civic groups, who say the new law discourages open government and is anti-democratic.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform says the new law will be "a disincentive to local governments to make information available online, without charging citizens.''

The Citizen Advocacy Center says the legislation decreases government accountability, transparency and accountability.

Both groups say the new law erodes steps Quinn took toward open information in 2009.