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Virus-related case involving businesses heads to Wisconsin Supreme Court


The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. (WLUK file photo/Andrew LaCombe)
The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. (WLUK file photo/Andrew LaCombe)
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MADISON (WLUK) -- The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce filed a lawsuit against Gov. Tony Evers after learning about his plans to release information on more than 1,000 businesses if they had at least two employees test positive for COVID-19, or if they were involved with two or more contact tracing investigations.

The businesses listed would include those with 25 or more employees.

WMC says this type of release could damage the reputations of businesses, as well as infringe on medical privacy.

Bill Lueders disagrees. He's the president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a group that pushes for transparency.

"I think it's outrageous that a business group was able to block access to the people of Wisconsin and information that could've been useful to them as they tried to navigate this pandemic," Lueders said.

The lawsuit made its way through the courts, most recently in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

The appeals court ruled in favor of releasing the names of businesses.

WMC Executive Vice President of Government Relations Scott Manley said in a statement, “We are disappointed with the court’s decision, but thankfully the lower court’s injunction still remains in place and will for the foreseeable future. In other words, the lists will continue to remain confidential while we pursue relief in the Supreme Court, which we will."

Gov. Evers expects the final results of the lawsuit to take some time.

FOX 11 asked Gov. Evers, "What are your thoughts on the most recent developments with your lawsuit with the WMC?"

Gov. Evers said, "Well, it's kind of still stalled frankly. We were ready to release the information but it's been held up because they have 30 days to seek the next level of court so it's going to end up in the Supreme Court I'm sure."

He says they are still prepared to release the information if they are able to.

The date for the Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing has not been announced yet.

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