FOIA

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Under FOIA (5 ILCS 140/1-17), records in possession of all government agencies may be obtained or accessed by the public upon written request. A public record may be any minutes, report, form, letter, memoranda, map, photograph, recording, and all other documentary material received, possessed or under control of a public body.

FOIA requests should be submitted to the Park District’s FOIA Officer:

Freedom of Information Officer
Susan K. Lyons, Vice President
3849 Old McHenry Road
Long Grove, IL 60047
skl1231@comcast.net
Telephone: (847) 438-4743
Fax: (847) 719-1645

Electronic submissions are also accepted and can be emailed to the address given above. All electronic submissions will be downloaded at 3:00 p.m. each work day. Any submission received after that time will be deemed to have been received the following business day.

When making a FOIA request, be as specific as possible. The request should include the specific information needed for your inquiry. A focused, specific request will aid in avoiding any delays or receipt of excess or unuseful information. It might be necessary for the FOIA Officer to contact you to clarify your request. Please provide the following in your request:

1) The requestor’s full name, address and phone number;

2) A description of records sought, being as specific as possible and

3) Whether the request is for copies of records or inspection of records.

The requestor will be informed in writing or electronically within 5 working days of the status of the request (e.g. approved, denied or delayed).

Per statute, the first 50 pages of black and white copies are free. Thereafter, the fee charged is $.15 per page. Additional fees for certification of records are charged at $1.00 per certification.

 

Sample Freedom of Information Act Request Letter

 

Date

Freedom of Information Officer
Park District of Long Grove
3849 Old McHenry Road
Long Grove, IL 60047

Re: Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request

Dear Freedom of Information Officer:

This is a request for information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

I request that a copy of the following documents be provided to me. SPECIFY RECORDS BEING SOUGHT, BEING AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE.

OR

 

I request that I be allowed to inspect the following records in person. SPECIFY RECORDS SOUGHT TO BE INSPECTED, BEING AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE.

I understand that the Act permits reimbursement of a reasonable copying fee not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. I am willing to pay fees for this request up to a maximum of $.

I look forward to your response within 7 working days from your receipt of this request.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone number (optional)