For more information, contact:

Pat Garrett | WILL Communications Director

Ameillia Wedward | WILL Communications Associate

WILL Unveils Open Records Guide to Promote Transparent Government

New guide part of an ongoing effort provided to help citizens better understand and interact with government officials and hold them accountable

The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL)’s Preserving Democracy Project has put forward a new report, The Citizens Guide To Open Government. It lays out the law that governs open records and open meetings while also providing best practices for holding government accountable.

The Quotes: Lucas Vebber, WILL Deputy Counsel, stated, “Wisconsin has a long history of open and transparent government. A transparent government is one accountable to its citizens. By utilizing the information contained in this guide, we hope to assist the public to ensure that accountability.”

Katherine Spitz, WILL Associate Counsel, added, “WILL has been leading the charge to protect the people’s right to information from their government. Putting forward this guide is the natural next step in supporting an informed, active, engaged citizenry who can hold their government accountable when necessary.”

Additional background: The Citizen’s Guide series from WILL aims to spur civic engagement and involvement in the processes of government. Like the Citizen’s Guide to the Administrative State, this guide has two aims. The first is to educate citizens on the public records and open meetings laws at a general level. The second is to provide citizens with practical tips they can use to ensure that those laws are followed.

Next Steps: From this report, the public can learn how to make a public records request, deal with delays and responses, navigate open meetings issues, and learn other best practices to engage with your government. In the coming days, WILL plans to hold a virtual town hall to assist Wisconsinites with open records and include this information, as well as additional guides and efforts on our website.

The Citizens Guide To Open Government, August 2023

For more information on how you can keep the government accountable, check out WILL’s first report, Citizen's Guide to the Administrative State. Also, register for an important townhall on this topic on August 24, 2023, at 11 AM.

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