| 3. Public records. The term "public records" means any report |
or written, printed or graphic matter or any mechanical or |
electronic data compilation from which information can be |
obtained, directly or after translation into a form susceptible |
of visual or aural comprehension, that is in the possession or |
custody of an agency or public official of this State or any of |
its political subdivisions, or is in the possession or custody of |
an association, the membership of which is composed exclusively |
of one or more of any of these entities, and has been received or |
prepared for use in connection with the transaction of public or |
governmental business or contains information relating to the |
transaction of public or governmental business, except: |