A Cook County court has ordered the Village of Dolton, Illinois, to pay attorney fees, filing fees, and civil penalties in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case. The ruling was issued on August 1, 2025.
The court directed Dolton to pay $13,020.40 in attorney fees and $466.54 in filing fees. In addition, the village must pay $2,500 in civil penalties for what the court determined were willful violations of FOIA law. This case, number 2024CH0001012, marks the second time Dolton has been required to pay such fees and penalties.
According to the order, “the court found our attorney fees reasonable, the filing fees and costs are routine, and again awarded civil penalties for Dolton’s willful, intentional, and in bad faith violation of the Freedom of Information Act.”
The organization involved encouraged the village to seek reimbursement for these costs from former Mayor Henyard’s bond if such a bond exists: “We urge the village to recoup these costs and penalties against former Mayor Henyard’s bond, if she had one.”
