FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides public access to government documents and records. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request. Public records are any records, reports, forms, writings, books, papers, maps, photographs, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared, or having been or being used, received, possessed or under the control of any public body.
The Act does, however, recognize that in order to enable public bodies to perform certain governmental functions properly and to protect personal privacy, some records and information need to be kept confidential. Records that are not subject to release via the FOIA process include confidential and trade secret information.
The two links on the sidebar will direct you to other information that is required to submit a FOIA request. The FAQ contains information about submitting a request, and what happens next. The Requests link will give information on the different ways available to formally submit an FOIA Request.
