FOIA
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law was enacted on July 1, 1984. It is intended to provide citizens access to all official documents and records in whatever form they are maintained. Additional information regarding FOIA is found at the Illinois Attorney General Website.
Forms
As a convenience measure, the City does have a standard form available for individuals to assist them with their information requests. The form is not required in order for a FOIA request to be submitted, however the City does require that all information requests be submitted in writing. Freedom of Information Act Request Form
You can send a written request by mail, fax, e-mail, or personal deliver in person to the appropriate FOIA Officer’s address.
For Administrative questions contact the Municipal FOIA Officer:
Marilyn Heller
City FOIA Officer
111A South Broad St
Lanark, IL, 61046
Phone: 815-493-2431
cityclerk@lanarkil.gov
Administrative records include, but are not limited to:
Accounts payable and receivable records
• Administrative files and correspondence
• Building & Zoning Permits / Inspections / Violations / Occupancy / Plats of Survey / Variances
• Contracts / Agreements / Leases
• Ordinances / Resolutions / Proclamations
For Police questions, contact the contact the Police FOIA Officer:
Troy Randall
Police Department FOIA Officer
111A South Broad St
Lanark, IL, 61046
Phone: 815-493-6931
police@lanarkil.gov
Police records include, but are not limited to:
• 9-1-1 calls
• Crime statistics
• Dash camera videos
• Police Reports
• Crash Reports
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
All requests to inspect, copy, or certify public records must be submitted to the Village in writing and in the appropriate form (mail, personal delivery, fax, e-mail, or other means available). The Village will respond to each written request to inspect, copy, or certify public records within five (5) business days after it is received, unless an extension of time is determined necessary. The first business day is the day after the Village receives a FOIA request. The Village will respond to a written request made for commercial purposes within 21 business days after it is received. Requests for information governed by specific statutes will be provided in accordance with such statutes.
RECURRENT REQUESTER
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act defines a “Recurrent Requester” as a person who:
1. Makes at least 50 requests within a 12-month period; or
2. Makes at least 15 requests for records within a 30-day period; or
3. Makes at least 7 requests for records within a 7-day period.
If the village determines someone to be a “Recurrent Requester” the Village reserves the right to extend the response time for each subsequent request to 21 days.
VOLUMINOUS REQUESTS
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act defines a “Voluminous Request” as a request for records that:
1. Include more than 5 individual requests for more than 5 different categories or records or a combination of individual requests that total requests for more than 5 different categories of records in a period of 20 business days; OR
2. Requires the compilation of more than 500 letter or legal-sized pages of public records
If the Village determines a request to be “Voluminous”, the Village reserves the right to extend the reply time or demand that the request be reduced to manageable portions
APPEAL OF DENIAL OF FOIA REQUESTS
Any person denied access to inspect or copy any public record for any reason may appeal the denial by sending a written notice of appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the following address:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Phone: 312-814-5526 or
1-877-299-FOIA (1-877-299-3642)
Fax: 217-782-1396
E-mail: public.access@ilag.gov