Federal Subpoena's To Blagojevich Administration Must Be Made Public: Judge

A state appeals court dealt Gov. Blagojevich's administration a blow today, ruling that federal subpoenas served on agencies under his control must be made public under the state's open records law.

The governor has argued subpoenas should be kept secret.

But a judge in Sangamon County ruled early this year that there was no evidence release of the subpoenas would jeopardize a criminal investigation. The appeals court today upheld the ruling by Judge Patrick Kelley.

The Better Government Association sued when Blagojevich's office denied a request for copies of the subpoenas under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Among other things, Blagojevich aides used an exception under the law precluding disclosure that could impede a law enforcement investigation.

But Kelley ruled Blagojevich aides showed no "competent evidence" that secrecy remained vital, despite a standard statement that accompanied the subpoenas saying disclosure could hamper an investigation.

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