BGA asking comptroller’s office to turn over state employment records

A Freedom of Information Act request for a list of state employees ordered not to be fired during Gov. Bruce Rauner’s transition was unjustly denied, a newly filed lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit, filed by the Better Government Association Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges the Illinois Office of Comptroller was wrong in denying the BGA a list of about 230 state employees whose jobs were ordered protected during Rauner’s early time in office.

The request also sought any communication regarding “such hiring and firing decisions,” the suit stated.

The BGA said the comptroller’s office denied the request because no such list exists and “any such communications are exempt” from FOIA.

The BGA is asking the court to overturn the comptroller’s office’s denial and to grant them their requested records.

A representative from the comptroller’s office did not provide comment Wednesday evening.