Contact Newsletter
🤝 Support Our Work 🔗 Allies & Resources

← FOIA Commons

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

Agency Illinois Attorney General
State Illinois
Filed By True 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).
Download PDF (334 KB)
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.
Download PDF (36 KB)
Appellate Appearance – 2022-08-11
Released: August 11, 2022
Appearance filed by the Attorney General of the State of Illinois in the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622).
Download PDF (63 KB)
Appellate Court Order – 2022-12-27
Released: December 27, 2022
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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
Appellate Court Order – 2023-06-20
Released: June 20, 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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
Appellate Court Order – 2023-08-28
Released: August 28, 2023
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.
Download PDF (174 KB)
Appellate Court Mandate Issued – 2023-10-11
Released: October 11, 2023
Letter from the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District (Case No. 4-22-0622), issuing the mandate pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 368.
Download PDF (179 KB)
Report of Proceedings (Vol. 1 of 1) – 2022-02-15
Released: February 15, 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 (Case No. 2021-L-53), filed in Appellate Court Case No. 4-22-0622.
Download PDF (13 MB)
Appellate Court Order – 2023-03-21
Released: March 21, 2023
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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
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).
Download PDF (7 MB)
Appellate Court Mandate – 2023-10-11
Released: October 11, 2023
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.
Download PDF (283 KB)
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.
Download PDF (237 KB)
Notice of Appeal – 2022-07-21
Released: July 21, 2022
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.
Download PDF (2 MB)
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.
Download PDF (112 KB)
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.
Download PDF (110 KB)
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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
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.
Download PDF (4 MB)
Responding Order Allowing Corrected Brief – 2023-05-16
Released: May 16, 2023
Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District Order in Case No. 4-22-0622 granting appellee’s Motion for Leave to File Corrected Brief.
Download PDF (74 KB)
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.
Download PDF (392 KB)
Motion to Publish (Rule 23(f)) – 2023-08-18
Released: August 18, 2023
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.
Download PDF (80 KB)
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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
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).
Download PDF (7 MB)
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.
Download PDF (398 KB)
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.
Download PDF (74 KB)
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.
Download PDF (60 KB)
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.
Download PDF (73 KB)
Motion to Submit Supplemental Authority – Polansky – 4th Dist 4-22-0622
Released: June 16, 2023
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.
Download PDF (360 KB)
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.
Download PDF (335 KB)
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.
Download PDF (231 KB)
Appellate Brief – 2022-10-25
Released: October 25, 2022
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.
Download PDF (20 MB)
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.
Download PDF (3 MB)
Appellate Brief and Appendix – 2022-10-25
Released: October 25, 2022
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.
Download PDF (20 MB)
Notice of Appeal – 2022-07-21
Released: July 21, 2022
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.
Download PDF (3 MB)
Oral Argument Notice – 2023-05-24
Released: May 24, 2024
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.
Download PDF (357 KB)
Notice of Confidential Information – 2022-04-08
Released: April 8, 2022
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.
Download PDF (589 KB)
Group Exhibit B (3 of 3) – 2022-04-08
Released: April 8, 2022
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).
Download PDF (19 MB)
Group Exhibit B (2 of 3) – 2022-04-08
Released: April 8, 2022
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.
Download PDF (70 MB)
Group Exhibit B (1 of 3) – 2022-04-08
Released: April 8, 2022
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.
Download PDF (27 KB)
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.
Download PDF (2 MB)
Reply Brief of Relator-Appellant – 2023-05-02
Released: May 2, 2023
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.
Download PDF (333 KB)
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.
Download PDF (215 KB)
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.
Download PDF (147 KB)
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.
Download PDF (141 KB)
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.
Download PDF (204 KB)
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.
Download PDF (535 KB)
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.
Download PDF (359 KB)

Related Links

Illinois Attorney General – FOIA Case F077736-123025 – Thornley Communications →
← Back to FOIA Commons