Illinois Attorney General – FOIA Case F077857-012026 – Fox Qui Tam Litigation
F077857-012026
Released - Partial
Summary
This request seeks records from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office concerning the qui tam whistleblower lawsuit People ex rel. Emily Fox v. State of Illinois, et al., including litigation files, motion to dismiss materials, communications, decision-making records, appellate records, and discovery-related materials for the period January 1, 2020 through present.
This case was assigned tracking number F077857-012026 following clarification and narrowing of a prior request.
Procedural History & Updates
July 8, 2022 – Circuit Court ordered file unsealed and substituted redacted exhibits.
November 24, 2025 – Original request submitted (assigned prior tracking number – F077736-123025
December 30, 2025 – Narrowed request submitted eliminating Parts B–E.
January 14, 2026 – Agency requested clarification regarding case identification.
January 20, 2026 – Clarified request opened and assigned new tracking number F077857-012026.
January 27, 2026 – Agency issued five-business-day extension pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3(e)(iv).
February 3, 2026 – Agency released approximately 47 responsive records, some containing redactions.
February 3, 2026 – Agency issued partial grant and partial denial; file closed.
Request Details
AgencyIllinois Attorney General
StateIllinois
Filed ByTrue Signal Media (TSM)
Date Filed
January 20, 2026
Statutory Deadline
January 27, 2026
Document Types
Partial Release
Investigation Campaigns
Jenny Thornley
Case Records
Split Assignment & Extension Notice – 2026-01-27
Released: January 27, 2026
Letter assigning new tracking number F077857-012026 following clarification of the narrowed request and extending the response deadline by five business days pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3(e)(iv).
State Motion to Dismiss Relator’s Complaint – 2021-12-07
Released: December 7, 2021
Filed motion by the State of Illinois seeking dismissal of the Emily Fox qui tam complaint pursuant to 740 ILCS 175/4(c)(2)(A), including notice of motion and proposed order.
Order of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), granting appellee’s motion for extension of time to file brief to February 7, 2023.
Order of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), overruling objection to motion for leave to file supplemental authority and granting the motion.
Order of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), granting motion to publish the decision and withdrawing the prior Rule 23 order.
Report of proceedings from February 15, 2022 hearing in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County regarding the State’s Motion to Dismiss Relator’s Complaint (Case No. 2021-L-53), filed in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622.
Order of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), granting appellant’s unopposed motion for extension of time to file reply brief to May 2, 2023.
Report of Proceedings (Hearing Transcript) – 2022-02-15 (Fox Caption)
Released: February 22, 2022
Report of proceedings from February 15, 2022 hearing in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County regarding the State’s Motion to Dismiss Relator’s Complaint in People of the State of Illinois ex rel. Emily Fox v. Jenny Thornley (Case No. 2021-L-53).
Mandate issued by the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), affirming the judgment and issuing mandate pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 368.
Appellate Record Filed Acknowledgment – 2022-09-20
Released: September 20, 2022
Acknowledgment from the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), confirming the record on appeal was filed, listing volumes, and setting briefing schedule deadlines.
Notice of Appeal filed by Relator Emily Fox to the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), appealing the Circuit Court’s order dismissing the action, including accompanying transfer memorandum and filing certifications.
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief – 2022-11-15
Released: November 15, 2022
Appellee State of Illinois’ unopposed motion in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622 seeking a 35-day extension to file its response brief, extending the deadline from November 29, 2022 to January 3, 2023, with supporting verification by Assistant Attorney General Christopher M. R. Turner.
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief (Second Motion) – 2022-12-20
Released: December 20, 2022
Appellee State of Illinois’ second unopposed motion in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622 seeking an additional 35-day extension to file its response brief, extending the deadline from January 3, 2023 to February 7, 2023, with supporting verification by Assistant Attorney General Christopher M. R. Turner.
Responding Order Granting Third Extension of Time – 2023-02-02
Released: February 2, 2023
Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District Order in Case No. 4-22-0622 granting appellee’s third Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief, extending the deadline to March 14, 2023.
Motion for Leave to File Corrected Brief (Second Filing) – 2023-05-05
Released: May 5, 2023
Second motion for leave filed by the Appellee State of Illinois in Case No. 4-22-0622 on May 5, 2023, containing alternate or supplemental corrected brief materials and accompanying supporting documents.
Appellate Court Rule 23 Order (Affirmed) – 2023-07-28
Released: July 28, 2023
Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District Rule 23 Order in Case No. 4-22-0622 (2023 IL App (4th) 220622-U), affirming the trial court’s dismissal of the qui tam action under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Illinois False Claims Act and holding that the State has nearly unfettered discretion to dismiss such actions absent glaring evidence of fraud or bad faith.
Appellee State of Illinois’ Motion to Publish the July 28, 2023 order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23(f) in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622, seeking publication of the decision as precedential authority.
Responding Order Allowing Motion to Supplement Record – 2022-10-07
Released: October 7, 2022
Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District Order in Case No. 4-22-0622 granting the joint Motion to Supplement the Record on Appeal and filing two supplemental volumes: one Corrected Common Law and one Impounded Common Law.
Notice of Appeal – Filed July 21, 2022 – Fox v. Thornley (21-L-53)
Released: July 21, 2022
Relator Emily Fox’s Notice of Appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, appealing the Circuit Court of Sangamon County’s March 7, 2022 Order granting the State of Illinois’ Motion to Dismiss under the Illinois False Claims Act (740 ILCS 175/4(c)(2)(A)). The notice references the July 8, 2022 order unsealing the case and asserts timeliness under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 303(a).
Opinion Filed – 2023 IL App (4th) 220622 – People ex rel. Fox v. State
Released: September 5, 2023
Published Rule 23 appellate opinion affirming the trial court’s dismissal of the qui tam action under the Illinois False Claims Act. The court held that under 740 ILCS 175/4(c)(2)(A), the State has broad prosecutorial discretion to dismiss a qui tam action after providing notice and an opportunity for hearing, absent glaring evidence of fraud or bad faith.
Responding Order – Extension of Time Granted – November 15, 2022
Released: November 15, 2022
Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District order in Case No. 4-22-0622 granting appellee State of Illinois’ Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief. Deadline extended to January 3, 2023.
Substitute Appearance – State of Illinois (Huszagh) – January 19, 2023
Released: January 19, 2023
Substitute Appearance filed in Illinois Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622. Assistant Attorney General Richard S. Huszagh entered appearance on behalf of appellee State of Illinois, replacing Chris Turner in the appellate proceedings.
Motion for Extension of Time (Appellee Brief) – January 30, 2023
Released: January 30, 2023
Unopposed motion filed by the State of Illinois in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622 seeking a five-week extension, to March 14, 2023, to file appellee’s brief. Includes verified declaration of Assistant Attorney General Richard S. Huszagh noting reassignment of the appeal and need for additional preparation time.
Motion filed by the Illinois Attorney General in State of Illinois ex rel. Emily Fox v. Jenny Thornley (4th Dist. No. 4-22-0622) seeking leave to submit the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources, Inc. as supplemental authority regarding dismissal standards in qui tam actions under the False Claims Act.
Appellee Brief – 2023 IL App (4th) 220622 – People ex rel. Fox v. Thornley
Released: May 16, 2023
Brief of Appellee (State of Illinois) in 2023 IL App (4th) 220622. The State argues that the circuit court properly granted the Attorney General’s motion to dismiss the qui tam action under 740 ILCS 175/4(c)(2)(A). The brief asserts that the relator failed to show fraud or bad faith by the Attorney General and emphasizes prosecutorial discretion, overlapping criminal proceedings, and resource considerations as grounds supporting dismissal.
Opposition to Motion to Submit Supplemental Authority – 2023 IL App (4th) 220622
Released: June 16, 2023
Relator-Appellant’s Opposition to the State of Illinois’ Motion to Submit Supplemental Authority in 2023 IL App (4th) 220622. The filing objects to the State’s characterization of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Services, Inc., and argues that the holding requires prior intervention before dismissal and contemplates consideration of relator interests at a hearing.
Appellate brief filed by Relator-Appellant Emily Fox in the Illinois Appellate Court (Fourth District), Case No. 4-22-0622, challenging dismissal of a qui tam action under the Illinois False Claims Act involving allegations of fraud by former Illinois State Police Merit Board employee Jenny Thornley.
Opposition to Motion to Submit Supplemental Authority – 2023 IL App (4th) 220622
Released: June 16, 2023
Opposition filed in Illinois Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622 responding to the State of Illinois’ Motion to Submit Supplemental Authority (Polansky). The filing argues against consideration of the cited authority in the pending appeal.
Brief and Appendix of Relator-Appellant Emily Fox filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, Case No. 4-22-0622, appealing the Circuit Court’s dismissal of the qui tam action under the Illinois False Claims Act.
Notice of Appeal filed by Relator Emily Fox in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, appealing the March 7, 2022 Order granting the State’s Motion to Dismiss in Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053.
Notice from the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, setting oral argument in Case No. 4-22-0622 for July 19, 2023, at 1:00 PM via Zoom pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 352.
Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing submitted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138(c) in Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053, identifying personal identity information redacted from court filings.
Joint Motion to Substitute Exhibits – 2022-04-08
Released: April 8, 2022
Joint Motion filed by Relator and the State of Illinois seeking to substitute redacted exhibits in compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 following anticipated unsealing of Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053.
Group Exhibit B filed in Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053 in support of redacted substitute exhibits. Contains Illinois State Police Merit Board records, including attendance reports, vacation and comp time forms, sick leave requests, and overtime records for Jenny Thornley (2019).
Group Exhibit B (Part 2 of 3) filed in Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053 as substitute redacted exhibits pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138. Contains Illinois State Police Merit Board records and related employment documentation concerning Jenny Thornley.
Group Exhibit B (Part 1 of 3) cover pages filed in Sangamon County Case No. 2021-L-000053 as substitute redacted exhibits pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138.
Opinion and Order Granting Motion to Dismiss – 2022-03-07
Released: March 7, 2022
Opinion and Order of the Sangamon County Circuit Court granting the State of Illinois’ Motion to Dismiss pursuant to 740 ILCS 175/4(c)(2)(A) and dismissing Relator Emily Fox’s complaint with prejudice in Case No. 2021-L-000053.
Reply Brief of Relator-Appellant Emily Fox filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, Case No. 4-22-0622, responding to the Attorney General’s appellate brief and addressing due process, Section 4(c)(2)(A) dismissal standards, and alleged government conflict of interest under the Illinois False Claims Act.
Relator’s Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time – 2023-03-20
Released: March 20, 2023
Relator-Appellant’s unopposed motion filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), requesting a 35-day extension to file the Reply Brief, extending the deadline to May 2, 2023.
Request for Preparation of Record on Appeal – 2022-07-28
Released: June 28, 2022
Request filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), directing the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk to prepare and transmit the Record on Appeal pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 321 and 323.
Joint Motion to Correct the Record on Appeal – 2022-09-30
Released: September 30, 2022
Joint Motion filed by Relator-Appellant and the State of Illinois in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 329, seeking correction of the Record on Appeal to (1) remove the impounded Notice of Confidential Information and (2) correct omissions and ordering errors in Group Exhibits A and B.
Order Granting Motion to Substitute Exhibits and Unsealing File – 2022-07-08
Released: July 8, 2022
Order of the Sangamon County Circuit Court unsealing the entire court file in Case No. 2021-L-000053 and directing substitution of agreed-upon redacted exhibits pursuant to the April 11, 2022 Order.
Order Granting Joint Motion to Substitute Exhibits – 2022-04-11
Released: April 11, 2022
Order of the Sangamon County Circuit Court granting the Joint Motion to Substitute Exhibits in Case No. 2021-L-000053 and directing the Clerk to substitute Group Exhibit A and Group Exhibit B for previously filed exhibits attached to briefing on the State’s Motion to Dismiss.
FOIA Closing Letter – Partial Grant / Partial Denial – 2026-02-03
Released: February 3, 2026
Closing letter issued by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in response to FOIA Request No. 2026 FOIA 077857 (continuation of 2025 FOIA 077736 / 077737), granting the request in part and denying in part. The office produced responsive records with redactions and withheld certain records pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a), 7(1)(b), 7(1)(c), 7(1)(f), 7(1)(kk), and 7.5(h), including deliberative materials, court-protected information, Ethics Act materials, and personal identifiers. The letter advises of appeal rights to the Public Access Counselor and judicial review under 5 ILCS 140/11.
We use cookies to deliver our investigations and understand what matters to readers. We don't sell your data. You control your privacy settings.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
