The Illinois High School Association is being sued for refusing to release details about its finances.

The Better Government Association, a watchdog group, argues that the IHSA is subject to the state’s open records law, and has to disclose certain information if requested. The IHSA has rejected those requests, claiming it’s a private non-profit organization.

The attorney for the BGA, Matt Topic, says the lawyers for the IHSA described it as a “state actor” while being sued for defamation in 2005.

“They have in the past tried to argue for the benefits of being a governmental entity, and now they’re trying to argue against the obligations of being a governmental entity,” Topic said.

Topic says the aim of the lawsuit is to establish that the IHSA is a public body, and therefore required to comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

(Copyright 2014 Illinois Radio Network.)