{
 "topic": "FOIA section 7.5(q) - Statutorily-confidential record set referenced via Sec. 7.5(q)",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 140/7.5(q)",
 "family": "Other statutory exemptions (section 7.5)",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/foia-7-5-q/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 2,
  "no_violation": 4,
  "no_determination": 0,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": {
  "generated_by": "AI summary of the decisions listed on this page; not legal advice; verify each decision against its PDF",
  "when_a_challenge_is_strong": [
   {
    "text": "The public body withheld records of complaints against staff that did not result in discipline.",
    "why": "Records that do not document the imposition of discipline are not exempt under section 7.5(q) and section 8 of the PRRA.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body withheld investigatory records (such as underlying investigation materials) rather than the actual disciplinary decision.",
    "why": "Section 7.5(q) incorporates only PRRA section 8, which exempts records documenting the imposition of discipline, not the investigatory file.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Disciplinary records and citizen complaints for three police officers",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The public body withholds periodic, seasonal, or comprehensive performance evaluations.",
    "why": "Section 11 of the PRRA prohibits disclosure of performance evaluations, and FOIA section 7.5(q) incorporates that exemption.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Seasonal performance evaluations and interview scoring records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81205/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/#issue-11"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body withholds records documenting the imposition of discipline that are more than four years old.",
    "why": "Section 8 of the PRRA permits withholding such records.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If the records you requested are complaints that did not lead to discipline, argue that they do not 'document the imposition of discipline' and therefore are not exempt under section 7.5(q) and section 8 of the Personnel Record Review Act.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the public body withheld investigatory records, point out that section 7.5(q) only exempts records documenting the imposition of discipline, not the underlying investigation.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Disciplinary records and citizen complaints for three police officers",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the public body claims the performance evaluation exemption, check whether the records are actually periodic comprehensive performance evaluations. Specific instances of misconduct are not protected by section 11 of the PRRA.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether the requested records are performance evaluations, complaints, investigatory files, or disciplinary records.",
   "If disciplinary records, the date the discipline was imposed (to determine if more than four years old).",
   "Whether the records document the actual imposition of discipline or are only complaints or investigation materials.",
   "The specific exemption cited by the public body in its denial letter."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Assuming that all personnel records are exempt under section 7.5(q). Only performance evaluations and records documenting discipline (if more than four years old) are exempt.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Disciplinary records and citizen complaints for three police officers",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Failing to distinguish between a performance evaluation and a record of a specific instance of misconduct. The latter is not exempt under section 11.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Believing that investigatory records are automatically exempt under section 7.5(q). The exemption is limited to records documenting the imposition of discipline.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Disciplinary records and citizen complaints for three police officers",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Not checking the age of discipline records. Records documenting discipline that are four years old or less may not be withheld under section 8.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on a limited set of non-binding determination letters; outcomes depend on specific facts and the current state of the law. Always verify the full PDF decisions."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Withholding seasonal performance evaluations under FOIA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 11 of the Personnel Record Review Act prohibits disclosure of performance evaluations in response to a FOIA request, so the District properly withheld them.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Seasonal performance evaluations and interview scoring records",
    "date": "2024-05-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-81205/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Section 7.5(q) withholding of performance evaluations",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 11 of the PRRA prohibits disclosure of periodic comprehensive performance evaluations, but not specific instances of misconduct.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "An applicant's background check and polygraph records",
    "date": "2024-05-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-69962/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Rev. Ltr. 47540, issued September 13, 2017",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding disciplinary records more than four years old",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Section 8 of the PRRA permits withholding records documenting the imposition of discipline that are more than four years old.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
    "date": "2023-06-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Johnson v. Joliet Police Department, 2018 IL App (3d) 170726",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2018%20IL%20App%20(3d)%20170726/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 53704",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding complaint records not reflecting disciplinary action",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Records of complaints against staff that do not document the imposition of discipline are not exempt under section 7.5(q).",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Complaints and disciplinary records of school staff",
    "date": "2023-06-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-56359/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 39260",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18779",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 56806",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Performance evaluations",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Performance evaluations are exempt from disclosure under section 7.5(q) of FOIA and section 11 of the PRRA.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A transit district's bus driver personnel file",
    "date": "2018-04-13",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-40605/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding investigatory records under FOIA 7.5(q) and PRRA",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7.5(q) incorporates only PRRA section 8, which permits deletion of records documenting the imposition of discipline, not underlying investigatory records.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Disciplinary records and citizen complaints for three police officers",
    "date": "2016-02-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-39260/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 18779",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}