People Ex Rel. Birkett v. City of Chicago

Defendant, the City of Chicago (the City), appeals from the trial court’s order holding it in contempt for refusing to produce to plaintiffs, the People of the State of Illinois by State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett; the County of Du Page; the Village of Bensenville; the City of Elmhurst; and the City of Wood Dale, documents that the City alleges were protected from disclosure by the governmental "deliberative process privilege.” The City also appeals from the court’s order authorizing counsel for plaintiffs to view the documents that the City claims are privileged.

The pleadings allege the…