Accessing the Records of a Public Body

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure.

Please Note: Freedom of information requests are not needed for copies of information readily available on the City’s website, including minutes, agendas, ordinances, general information, and other details that are immediately accessible from the City.

Submitting a Request for Information

Freedom of Information Request online forms are not required but may be utilized for convenience. All requests for information must be submitted in writing, either by email to the Police Department or to the City Clerk's office (links to the right), or by mail / personal delivery to the Police Department or to the Office of the City Clerk.

Applicable Fees

No fee will be charged for the first 50 pages of black and white, letter- or legal-sized copies. A fee of 15 cents is charged for any additional pages, color copies, and abnormally sized copies. There is a fee of $1 for information placed on a CD or DVD. There is a charge for information placed on a flash drive. Illinois Crash Reports carry a fee of $5.00.

Processing of Requests & Notification

As requests are processed, the Police Department or the City Clerk's office will contact the requester when the information is available.

If a request is denied, a letter will be sent explaining the reason for denial and the process for appeal of the denial.

The Freedom of Information Act allows five business days (not including the day of receipt of request) for response and twenty-one (21) days for a commercial response.