I read somewhere that many governors were being request to submit items to be included in a time capsule to be opened at the 500th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Here’s what I found wolud be the Illinois contribution:

Here is what the website says are Illinois contributions:

  • Letter from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to future citizens
  • Poem entitled “Dear New Blood,” by Mark Turcotte, Illinois Poet Laureate 2025-2029, for Erilaz Lucien Asiginaak Turcotte

On June 23rd, using the Freedom of Information Act, I requested a copy of the letter Governor Pritzker submitted to be placed in America’s Time Capsule.

Here is the reply I received on June 30th from Leonardo Rojas-Banda, FOIA Officer & Assistant General Counsel, Office of llinois Governor JB Pritzker

This letter is in response to your Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request received
on June 23, 2026, seeking:

A copy of the letter Governor Pritzker submitted to be placed in America’s Time Capsule.

Here is what the website says are Illinois contributions:

  • Letter from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to future citizens
  • Poem entitled “Dear New Blood,” by Mark Turcotte, Illinois Poet Laureate
    2025-2029, for Erilaz Lucien Asiginaak Turcotte

Please be advised that, pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3(e)(iv), this office is availing itself of an extension of five working days – through and including July 8, 2026 – to respond to your request.

To the extent you consider this response to be a denial of your FOIA request, you have the right to a denial reviewed by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 500 S. 2nd Street, Springfield, Illinois 62706, (877) 299-3642, public.access@ilag.gov.

If you choose to submit a request for review, you must do so within 60 days after the date of this response letter. The request for review must be in writing, signed by you, and include a copy of your FOIA request and this office’s response. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). In addition, you have the right to seek judicial review of this response. 5 ILCS 140/11(a), (b).

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me.

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Does anyone else consider the inability to produce the letter for two weeks seem strange?

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