Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights: FBI File

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There are eFOIA files available for you to download.

You can download the files at:

* [E8443c6f2d922ede6d3726712b7a26cafd2863e2f_Q26688_D2078914.pdf](https://efoia.fbi.gov/download-file/submission-8443c6f2d922ede6d3726712b7a26cafd2863e2f/xNB6LhrB8QhB6Zn/E8443c6f2d922ede6d3726712b7a26cafd2863e2f_Q26688_D2078914.pdf)

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Dear Mr. Ibrahimovic,

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act request of July
10, 2018 for records in the custody of the National Archives and Records
Administration. Your request was received in this office on July 23, 2018
and assigned FOIA case number *57836*.

You requested access to case file numbers *100-SA-9647*, *100-HQ-433419*,
*100-BT-8337*, and *100-BA-22755*, and identified by the FBI as potentially
responsive to your request for records relating to the Chicago Committee to
Defend the Bill of Rights. My initial assessment confirms that the Chicago
Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights is in fact the subject of these
files.

Case file 100-SA-9647 has been previously reviewed. This file was redacted
to protect the identities of confidential sources per 5 USC 552 (b)(7)(D).
I reanalyzed the redactions that were previously applied and determined
that the redactions are still pertinent. A summary of this review is
provided below:

FBI file *100-SA-9647*: 20 total pages; 18 pages released in full and 2
pages released in redacted form.

For you convenience, or your convenience, I have attached a courtesy copy
of the sanitized version of the file to this email.

Case file *100-HQ-433419* has an estimated 4,000 pages, compiled as part of
an internal security investigation conducted between June 1960 and July
1976.

Case file *100-BT-8337* has an estimated 30 pages, compiled as part of an
internal security investigation conducted between April 1962 and August
1962.

Case file *100-BA-22755* has an estimated 21 pages, compiled as part of an
internal security investigation conducted April 1962.

Case files 100-HQ-433419, 100-BT-8337, and 100-BA-22755 still require
screening for categories of information exempted from disclosure under the
terms of the Freedom of Information Act, prior to public release. In
particular, there are documents that may be redacted to protect the
identities of confidential sources, including FBI informant codes and
informant file numbers.

Requests for FBI case files that exceed 500 pages are assigned to our
second-tier processing queue. To give you an indication of our existing
backlog, we are currently processing requests received in December 2012.

You may be able to reduce your estimated wait time by narrowing the scope
of your request to 500 pages or less*. *You could narrow your request to
case files 100-BT-8337 and 100-BA-22755, and to just Sections 1 and 2 of
case file 100-HQ-433419, which have an estimated 500 pages dating from June
1960 to November 1961. Your request would then be assigned to our
first-tier processing queue. Taking into consideration our existing
backlog, the estimated time required to complete the processing of a
first-tier request is approximately 24 months from the date of this
correspondence.

To notify this office of a change in your contact information or to track
the status of your request, please telephone 301-837-3190 or e-mail
specialaccess_foia@nara.gov. If you have specific questions regarding the
subject of your request, please contact me directly at john.perosio@nara.gov
or 301-837-0617.

If you are not satisfied with my action on this request, you have the right
to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days from the
date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be delivered by
regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you preserve your
rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the deciding agency
with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider its decision. If
you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be addressed to the
Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly marked “FOIA
Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by e-mail, please send it to
foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. If you exercise your right to appeal, please
explain why you believe this response does not meet the requirements of the
Freedom of Information Act. All communications concerning this request
should reference FOIA tracking number *57836*.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss my response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area

FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190

Acting FOIA Public Liaison: Britney Crawford

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Telephone: 301-837-3190

E-mail: dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

If you are unable to resolve your dispute through our Public Liaison, the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is the federal FOIA
ombudsman. OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between
FOIA requesters and federal agencies. You may contact OGIS at the following
address:

Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510

College Park, MD 20740-6001

ogis@nara.gov

202-741-5770

1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

*John Perosio*
Archivist, Special Access/FOIA Staff
National Archives & Records Administration

Tel: 301-837-0617 <(301)%20837-1932>
Email: john.perosio@nara.gov <heather.macrae@nara.gov>
Main Office Tel: 301-837-3190 <(301)%20837-3190>
Main Office Email: specialaccess_foia@nara.gov
National Archives Website: www.archives.gov
Special Access/FOIA Website: www.archives.gov/research/foia/

Dear Sanjin Ibrahimovic,

I am writing in further response to your Freedom of Information Act request
of July 10, 2018 for records in the custody of the National Archives and
Records Administration. Your request was received in this office on July
23, 2018 and assigned FOIA case number *57836*.

You requested access to case file numbers *100-SA-9647*, *100-BT-8337*,
*100-BA-22755*, and *100-HQ-433419*, identified by the FBI as potentially
responsive to your request for records relating to the Chicago Committee to
Defend the Bill of Rights. My initial assessment confirms that the Chicago
Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights is in fact the subject of these
files.

As I said in my August 9, 2018 email, case file 100-SA-9647 had been
previously reviewed and I attached a courtesy copy to my last email.

I have now also completed a line-by-line review of FBI file *100-BT-8337*
and released information to the greatest extent possible This file was
redacted to protect the identities of confidential sources per 5 USC 552
(b)(7)(D). I reanalyzed the redactions that were previously applied and
determined that the redactions are still pertinent. A summary of this
review is provided below:

FBI file *100-BT-8337*: 23 total pages; 21 pages released in full and 2
pages released in redacted form.

In addition, I have completed a line-by-line review of FBI file
*100-BA-22755* and released information to the greatest extent possible. This
file was redacted to protect the identities of confidential sources per 5
USC 552 (b)(7)(D). I reanalyzed the redactions that were previously applied
and determined that the redactions are still pertinent. A summary of this
review is provided below:

FBI file *100-BA-22755*: 31 total pages; 23 pages released in full and 8
pages released in redacted form.

You or your designated representative may view the sanitized copy of these
files in Room 4000, the reading room operated by the Motion Pictures Branch
at our College Park facility. Please contact Jessica Hartman (
Jessica.Hartman@nara.gov or 301-837-3190) at least one week in advance of
your visit to arrange to see the file.

If you cannot schedule a visit to our College Park facility, the standard
rate for reproduction orders is $0.80 per page, regardless of format.
Please contact Jessica Hartman if you would like to place an order.

Please be aware that the materials in these 3 reviewed case files are
largely duplicative.

Case file number *100-HQ-433419 *still requires screening for categories of
information exempted from disclosure under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act, prior to public release. In particular, there are
documents that may be redacted to protect the identities of confidential
sources, including FBI informant codes and informant file numbers. The file
is arranged in 9 sections and has an estimated 4,000 pages, compiled as
part of an internal security investigation conducted between June 1960 and
July 1976. Based on our initial consultation, you have agreed to limit the
scope of your request to sections 1 and 2 of this case file, which consist
of an estimated 500 pages. This portion of the file covers the period from
June 1960 to November 1961.

Requests for FBI case files that do not exceed 500 pages are assigned to
our first-tier processing queue. This case will now be added to our
first-tier processing queue. Taking into consideration our existing
backlog, the estimated time required to complete the processing of your
request is approximately 24 months from the date of this letter.

In answer to your question about whether if you were to concurrently file
500-page block requests for case file 100-HQ-433419 would these requests be
placed in our first-tier processing queue, no, they would not. All these
requests would be treated as a single second-tier request. So that we can
equitably administer our backlog, we limit first-tier requests to 500 pages
or less per requester per subject. I am sorry.

If you have specific questions regarding your request, please contact me
directly at john.perosio@nara.gov or 301-837-0617.

To notify this office of a change in your contact information or to track
the status of your request, please telephone 301-837-3190 or e-mail
specialaccess_foia@nara.gov.

If you are not satisfied with my action on this request, you have the right
to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days from the
date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be delivered by
regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you preserve your
rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the deciding agency
with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider its decision. If
you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be addressed to the
Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly marked “FOIA
Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by e-mail, please send it to
foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. If you exercise your right to appeal, please
explain why you believe this response does not meet the requirements of the
Freedom of Information Act. All communications concerning this request
should reference FOIA tracking number *57836*.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss my response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area

FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190

Acting FOIA Public Liaison: Britney Crawford

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Telephone: 301-837-3190

E-mail: dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

If you are unable to resolve your dispute through our Public Liaison, the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is the federal FOIA
ombudsman. OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between
FOIA requesters and federal agencies. You may contact OGIS at the following
address:

Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510

College Park, MD 20740-6001

ogis@nara.gov

202-741-5770

1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

*John Perosio*
Archivist, Special Access/FOIA Staff
National Archives & Records Administration

Tel: 301-837-0617 <(301)%20837-1932>
Email: john.perosio@nara.gov <heather.macrae@nara.gov>
Main Office Tel: 301-837-3190 <(301)%20837-3190>
Main Office Email: specialaccess_foia@nara.gov
National Archives Website: www.archives.gov
Special Access/FOIA Website: www.archives.gov/research/foia/

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act request of
August 8, 2018 for records in the custody of the National Archives and
Records Administration. Your request was received in this office on August
9th and assigned FOIA case number 58045.

You requested access to the following case file numbers:

100-BT-8337

100-BA-22755

100-SA-9647

100-HQ-433419

This is a duplicate of the request you made on July 10, 2018 for the same
records. Archivist John Perosio responded to you on August 9th under FOIA
case number *RD 57836*. I have spoken with Mr. Perosio and he informs me
that he is currently working with you to get you the records you desire.
Accordingly, we are closing this new request as a duplicate of your
original request.

This concludes the processing of your request. If you have questions,
please contact me directly at christopher.abraham@nara.gov or 301-837-2958.
If you have any questions concerning the content of the original request,
please direct them to Mr. Perosio with reference to FOIA case number *RD
57836*

If you are not satisfied with my action on this request, you have the right
to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days from the
date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be delivered by
regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you preserve your
rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the deciding agency
with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider its decision. If
you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be addressed to the
Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly marked “FOIA
Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by e-mail, please send it to
foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. If you exercise your right to appeal, please
explain why you believe this response does not meet the requirements of the
Freedom of Information Act. All communications concerning this request
should reference FOIA tracking number 58045.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss my response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area

FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190

Acting FOIA Public Liaison: Britney Crawford

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Telephone: 301-837-3270

E-mail: dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

If you are unable to resolve your dispute through our Public Liaison, the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is the federal FOIA
ombudsman. OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between
FOIA requesters and federal agencies. You may contact OGIS at the following
address:

Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510

College Park, MD 20740-6001

ogis@nara.gov

202-741-5770

1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

*Chris Abraham*
Archivist
Special Access and FOIA Branch (RD-F)
301.837.2958
www.archives.gov/research/foia/

Dear Sanjin Ibrahimovic,

Your request has been added to our first-tier processing queue. In answer
to your question, any further requests from you for other parts of case
file 100-HQ-433419 would merely be considered duplicative to the one you
already placed. We would still have to limit the request to Section 1 and
2 of that file in order to keep it in our first-tier processing queue. We
would could switch that request back to our second-tier processing queue if
you were to want access to more than Sections 1 and 2 of that file..
Best,

John

October 9, 2018

Sanjin Ibrahimovic

requests@muckrock.com

Dear Sanjin Ibrahimovic,

I am writing in response to your request for an updated status on the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request received by this office in July
2018 for records in the custody of the National Archives and Records
Administration. The request was assigned FOIA case tracking number RD
57836 and placed in Tier 1 for review.

To give you an indication of our existing backlog for cases in Tier 1 we
are currently processing requests received in September 2016. Feel free to
check back in six months for another status update.

To notify this office of a change in your contact information or to track
the status of your request, please telephone 301-837-3190 or e-mail
specialaccess_foia@nara.gov. If you have specific questions regarding the
subject of your request, please contact John Perosio directly at
John.Perosio@nara.gov or 301.837.0617. All communications concerning this
request should reference your case tracking number RD 57836.

Sincerely,
--
Jessie Hartman
Government Information Specialist
Special Access and FOIA Branch
National Archives at College Park
301.837.1905

Dear Sanjin Ibrahimovic,

I am writing in further response to your Freedom of Information Act request
of July 10, 2018 for records in the custody of the National Archives and
Records Administration. Your request for FBI case files 100-SA-9647,
100-HQ-433419, 100-BT-8337 and 100-BA-22755 on the Chicago Committee to
Defend the Bill of Rights was received in this office on July 23, 2018 and
assigned FOIA tracking number RD 57836.

Your request is nearing the front of our processing queue. Before we begin
processing your request, we want to verify your current contact information
and confirm that you are still interested in the records.

You may contact us by email at specialaccess_foia@nara.gov.
<specialaccess_foia@nara.gov> If we do not hear from you within 90 calendar
days from the date of this letter, your FOIA request will be
administratively closed.

If you are not satisfied with my action on this request, you have the right
to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days from the
date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be delivered by
regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you preserve your
rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the deciding agency
with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider its decision. If
you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be addressed to the
Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly marked “FOIA
Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by email, please send it to foia@nara.gov,
addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA Appeal” in the
subject line. If you exercise your right to appeal, please explain why you
believe this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act. All communications concerning this request should
reference your FOIA tracking number.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss my response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area

FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190

FOIA Public Liaison: Rebecca Calcagno

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

301-837-3190

You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS),
the Federal FOIA Ombudsman’s office, for assistance. OGIS offers mediation
services to help resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal
agencies. The contact information for OGIS is:

Office of Government Information Services

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road–OGIS

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Email: ogis@nara.gov

https://www.archives.gov/ogis

Phone: 202-741-5770 or 1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

Laurel Macondray (she/her/hers)

Archivist

Special Access and FOIA Program (RF)

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

laurel.macondray@nara.gov

(301) 837-2997

https://www.archives.gov/research/foia

Dear Sanjin Ibrahimovic,

I completed processing the records you requested from the National Archives
and Records Administration under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) tracking
number RD 57836.

You requested access to FBI file 100-HQ-433419 on the Chicago Committee to
Defend the Bill of Rights. You had narrowed the request to sections 1 and 2
in order to be processed in the first tier. As it turns out, sections 1 and
2 were less than 400 pages so I included section 3 in the request and was
still able to keep it in the first tier.

You also requested access to FBI files 100-BT-8337, 100-BA-22755, and
100-SA-9647. These were made available to you in August 2018.

For file 100-HQ-433419, section 1-3, I completed a line-by-line review of
the records you requested. Please be advised, I have considered the
foreseeable harm standard when reviewing records and applying FOIA
exemptions for this request. Information was released to the greatest
extent possible. Below is a summary of my review:

Records Requested

Total Pages

Pages Released in Full

Pages Released in Part

Pages Withheld in Full

100-HQ-433419, sections 1-3

574

450

124

0

I withheld information protected under section (b) of the FOIA (5 U.S.C.
552). The specific reasons for the denials are:

TYPE OF INFORMATION WITHHELD

FOIA EXEMPTION or STATUTE

identities of confidential sources

(b)(7)(D)

techniques and procedures

(b)(7)(E)

You or your designated representative may view the file(s) at the National
Archives at College Park, Maryland. We require at least one week advance
notice to prepare for your visit and ask that you email
specialaccess_foia@nara.gov with your FOIA tracking number (RD 57836) and
the date you plan to visit. Please also let us know if you would like us to
book an appointment on your behalf. Please monitor our web page
https://www.archives.gov/college-park for details and updates, as the
operating status for the facility could change, affecting opening hours for
the research rooms.

If you are unable to visit and you wish to hire a researcher to duplicate
the file, information on how to hire a researcher can be found at this
link: https://www.archives.gov/research/hire-help. The National Archives
does not endorse anyone who appears on the list. It is possible the fees to
hire a researcher may be less than the reproduction fees.

If you cannot visit our College Park facility, you may order a reproduction
copy of the file(s) at the cost of 80 cents per page. To place a
reproduction order, please contact our office at specialaccess_foia@nara.gov or
301-837-3190. A mailing/billing address is required to generate a price
quote, so please include that information with your reproduction request.

If you are not satisfied with my action on this request, you have the right
to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days from the
date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be delivered by
regular U.S. mail or by email. By filing an appeal, you preserve your
rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the deciding agency
with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider its decision. If
you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be addressed to the
Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly marked “FOIA
Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by email, please send it to foia@nara.gov,
addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA Appeal” in the
subject line. If you exercise your right to appeal, please explain why you
believe this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act. All communications concerning this request should
reference your FOIA tracking number.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss my response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area

FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190

FOIA Public Liaison: Rebecca Calcagno

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

301-837-3190

You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS),
the Federal FOIA Ombudsman’s office, for assistance. OGIS offers mediation
services to help resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal
agencies. The contact information for OGIS is:

Office of Government Information Services

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road–OGIS

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Email: ogis@nara.gov

https://www.archives.gov/ogis

Phone: 202-741-5770 or 1-877-684-6448

This concludes the processing of your request. If you have questions
concerning my review, please contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Daniel Dancis
--
Sincerely,

Daniel Dancis, Archivist
Special Access and FOIA Program (RF)
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 837-0588
daniel.dancis@nara.gov
https://www.archives.gov/research/foia