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Martinez V CPD (3rd Case)

The document describes a FOIA lawsuit filed by Freddy Martinez against the Chicago Police Department for failing to respond to Martinez's FOIA request. Martinez requested documents related to the CPD's 1505 program for seizing and using suspected drug money. Despite follow ups, CPD did not respond. The lawsuit alleges CPD willfully violated FOIA and seeks penalties, attorneys fees, and an order for CPD to produce the requested records.

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99 views7 pages

Martinez V CPD (3rd Case)

The document describes a FOIA lawsuit filed by Freddy Martinez against the Chicago Police Department for failing to respond to Martinez's FOIA request. Martinez requested documents related to the CPD's 1505 program for seizing and using suspected drug money. Despite follow ups, CPD did not respond. The lawsuit alleges CPD willfully violated FOIA and seeks penalties, attorneys fees, and an order for CPD to produce the requested records.

Uploaded by

freddyinchicago
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELECTRONICALLY FILED

11/2/2015 2:55 PM
2015-CH-16119
CALENDAR: 05
PAGE 1 of 4
CIRCUIT COURT OF
COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
CHANCERY DIVISION
COUNTY DEPARTMENT, CHANCERY DIVISION
CLERK DOROTHY BROWN
FREDDY MARTINEZ,
Plaintiff,
v.
CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT,
Defendant.

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COMPLAINT

NOW COMES Plaintiff, FREDDY MARTINEZ, by his undersigned attorneys,


LOEVY & LOEVY, and brings this suit to overturn Defendant CHICAGO POLICE
DEPARTMENTs refusal, in willful violation of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act,
to respond to MARTINEZs FOIA request. In support of his Complaint, MARTINEZ states
as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1.

Pursuant to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of

government, it is the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and
complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of
those who represent them as public officials and public employees consistent with the terms of
the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 5 ILCS 140/1.
2.

All public records of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or

copying. Any public body that asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure has the burden of
proving by clear and convincing evidence that it is exempt. 5 ILCS 140/1.2.

3.

Public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, or, if the

criteria for an extension are met, within ten business days. 5 ILCS 140/3(d).
4.

If the court determines that a public body willfully and intentionally failed to

comply with FOIA, or otherwise acted in bad faith, the court shall impose upon the public body a
civil penalty of not less than $2,500 nor more than $5,000 for each occurrence. 5 ILCS
140/11(j).
5.

Under FOIA Section 11(h), except as to causes the court considers to be of

greater importance, proceedings arising under [FOIA] shall take precedence on the docket over
all other causes and be assigned for hearing and trial at the earliest practicable date and expedited

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
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2015-CH-16119
PAGE 2 of 4

in every way.
PARTIES
6.

Plaintiff FREDDY MARTINEZ made the FOIA request.

7.

Defendant CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT (CPD) is a public body located

in Cook County, Illinois.


MARTINEZS FOIA REQUESTS AND CPDS FOIA VIOLATIONS
8.

On September 1, 2015, MARTINEZ sent and CPD received, a FOIA request to

CPD for documents sufficient to show a balance of the 1505 or 1505 ML program during 2015,
expense reports from the last five years for any items purchased with 1505/1505ML, and the
sources of all deposits into any 1505/1505ML accounts. A true and correct copy of the request is
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
9.

Under the 1505 program when CPD seizes suspected drug money it uses that

money to fund various policing projects including electronic surveillance. The program is
similar to the federal asset forfeiture program.
10.

CPD did not respond to the request within the five day FOIA deadline.
-2-

11.

MARTINEZ followed up three separate times on September 18, 2015, October 9,

2015, and October 15, 2015, all of which CPD received. A copy of these emails is attached as
Group Exhibit B.
12.

CPD did not respond to any of the September 18, 2015, October 9, 2015, and

October 15, 2015 communications.


13.

As of the date this Complaint has been filed, CPD has not responded to

MARTINEZs FOIA request.


14.

At the time it failed to respond to the request and follow-up inquiries, CPD was

aware of the statutory deadlines.

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
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2015-CH-16119
PAGE 3 of 4

15.

At the time it failed to respond to the request and follow-up inquiries, CPD was

aware that it had been sued multiple times and been made the subject of over 150 Attorney
General reviews since January 1, 2014, for failing to comply with FOIA deadlines.
COUNT I WILLFUL VIOLATION OF FOIA
16.

The above paragraphs are incorporated by reference.

17.

CPD is a public body under FOIA.

18.

MARTINEZ made a written request to CPD for public records of CPD.

19.

CPD received the request.

20.

CPD has failed to respond to MARTINEZs September 1, 2015 FOIA request.

21.

CPDs failure to respond is a willful and intentional violation of FOIA and an

act of bad faith.


WHEREFORE, MARTINEZ asks that the Court:
i.

in accordance with FOIA Section 11(f), afford this case precedence on the Courts
docket except as to causes the Court considers to be of greater importance, assign
-3-

this case for hearing and trial at the earliest practicable date, and expedite this
case in every way;
ii.

declare that CPD has violated FOIA;

iii.

order CPD to produce the requested records under FOIA;

iv.

enjoin CPD from withholding non-exempt public records under FOIA;

v.

award MARTINEZ reasonable attorneys fees and costs;

vi.

order CPD to pay a civil penalty of between $2500 and $5000 for each
violation;

vii.

award such other relief the Court considers appropriate.

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
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2015-CH-16119
PAGE 4 of 4

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

____________________________
Attorneys for Plaintiff
FREDDY MARTINEZ
Matthew Topic
LOEVY & LOEVY
312 North May St., Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60607
312-243-5900
matt@loevy.com
Atty. No. 41295

-4-

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
11/2/2015 2:55 PM
2015-CH-16119
CALENDAR: 05
PAGE 1 of 1
CIRCUIT COURT OF
COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
CHANCERY DIVISION
CLERK DOROTHY BROWN

Exhibit A

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
11/2/2015 2:55 PM
2015-CH-16119
CALENDAR: 05
PAGE 1 of 2
CIRCUIT COURT OF
COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
CHANCERY DIVISION
CLERK DOROTHY BROWN

Exhibit B

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
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2015-CH-16119
PAGE 2 of 2

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