Overview

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a State statute that provides the public with 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 (for example: records containing information concerning trade secrets or personal privacy).

FOIA Requests

You may request documents via mail, email, fax, or personal delivery. Your request must include the following information:

Requester’s full name, address, and daytime telephone number. We need this information in case we have questions about the request.

A written description of the desired records containing the specific details necessary to fulfill the request.

The documentation and/or envelope must be labeled “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST”.

The Riverdale Public Library has a FOIA form HERE that can be used for requests. 

Mail/Personal Delivery

Riverdale Public Library District
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
208 West 144^th Street
Riverdale, IL 60827

Email:

[email protected]

Fax:

(708) 841-1805
Please note: Write or type “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST” on faxed requests

Fees

Black and white copies:
First 50 copies on letter or legal-sized paper: free
Remaining copies on letter or legal-sized paper: $0.15 per page
Non-letter or legal-sized paper in black and white: cost of paper + $0.15 per page

Color copies:
On letter or legal-sized paper: $.50 per page
Non-letter or legal-sized paper: cost of paper + $0.50 per page

FOIA Process

• The library must respond to a FOIA request within five business days after the day the library receives the request. “Business days” are defined as Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
• If additional time is needed to process the FOIA request, the requester will be notified within five business days after receiving the request. The response to the deadline extension must be in writing. Agreeing to this extension relieves the library’s requirement of adhering to the legally-mandated deadlines.

Denied Requests

• The library must disclose the specific reasons for denying FOIA requests. The denial must also include the requester’s right to file a Request for Review with the Public Access Counselor (PAC), the PAC’s contact information, and the right to seek judicial review by filing a court case. The Request for Review must be filed within 60 calendar days of the library’s final response.

Failure to Respond

• If the public body fails to respond, you can file a Request for Review with the Counselor (PAC) or file a case in court.

PAC contact information: 

Leah Bartelt, Public Access Counselor

Office of the Attorney General

500 S. 2nd Street

Springfield, Illinois 62701

Phone:

1-877-299-FOIA

(1-877-299-3642)

Fax: (217) 782-1396

E-mail: [email protected]

Request for Review

A Request for Review is a letter that must be submitted by a requester in the event that it is believed that a public body is not adhering to FOIA. It is a formal way of asking the PAC to examine a request in order to determine if FOIA is being followed correctly.

The Request for Review must be in writing, signed by the requester, and attached to a copy of the original FOIA request and any related correspondence. It must be filed within 60 calendar days of the public body’s final response or response due date.

Resources:

Ensuring Open and Honest Government http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/

FAQ (members of the public) http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/pdf/FAQ_FOIA_Public.pdf

FOIA Officer: Assistant Director Rebecca Bourné