Skokie Refuses To Acknowledge Shooting On Knox Avenue

SKOKIE, IL — Village officials this week refused to release any information about a reported non-fatal shooting last month near Oakton Community Center.

Village staff alleged Monday, without evidence, that the release of any portion of records showing when and where the Skokie Police Department was dispatched shortly after midnight on Sept. 21 would "disrupt an on-going investigation," according to a denial of a public records request.

Reports from Skokie residents and audio from Skokie Fire Department dispatchers indicate police called for an ambulance to come to a home in the 8000 block of Knox Avenue for a gunshot victim that night.

But a Skokie police spokesperson declined to confirm that any such shooting had taken place.

State public records law requires municipalities to provide clear and convincing evidence for any exemptions cited.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, allows for certain information to be redacted if it is shown likely to disrupt an investigation or court case.

But it does not allow for blanket denial of a FOIA request, such as the one Skokie issued, of all records of a matter simply because a village alleges there is an open investigation related to it.

UPDATE: Skokie Officials Reverse Course, Confirm Shooting Actually Happened