Reclaim Illinois

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Citizens who desire to gain access to government documents should not hesitate to use a FOIA request. Below is information about FOIA including a link to a sample letter.

Note: At a time when we can conduct business and gain access to information from all over the world via the internet it is ironic that we can't gain access to Illinois public records without the hastle spelled out below. This is definately an area in need of reform!!

"...it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government [...] Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest." (5 ILCS 140/1)

Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act is intended to open the government to all citizens by guaranteeing access to governmental records in whatever form they are maintained. The Act maintains a clear preference for access to public documents while still protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to the free exchange of information and to that end publishes a Guide to the Freedom of Information Act intended to help Illinoisans navigate their way through the Act.

The principal mandate of the Act is found in subsection 3(a), which provides that "each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records." The remainder of the Act implements this requirement.

Illinois Freedom of Information Act links and documents:

Frequently Asked Questions

A Complete Guide to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (revised in Fall 2004)

Text of Statute

New Legislation

How can I get a public record from a government agency in Illinois?

Responding to requests under the Freedom of Information Act: A Guide for Government Agencies

Sample Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request letter

Helpful Links:

Freedom of Information Center

My FOIAs
I will make the best effort possible to share the results of all my FOIA requests on this web site so stay tooned. The people of Illinois deserve to know exactly how this state is managed and where their money is going!

3/19/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services
CMS Response

3/17/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services
CMS Response

3/17/2009 FOIA Request for Legislator Contact Info including E-mails
House Response

2/12/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services
CMS Response

				The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Citizens who desire to gain access to government documents should not hesitate to use a FOIA request. Below is information about FOIA including a link to a sample letter. Note: At a time when we can conduct business and gain access to information from all over the world via the internet it is ironic that we can't gain access to Illinois public records without the hastle spelled out below. This is definately an area in need of reform!! "...it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government [...] Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest." (5 ILCS 140/1) Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act is intended to open the government to all citizens by guaranteeing access to governmental records in whatever form they are maintained. The Act maintains a clear preference for access to public documents while still protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to the free exchange of information and to that end publishes a Guide to the Freedom of Information Act intended to help Illinoisans navigate their way through the Act. The principal mandate of the Act is found in subsection 3(a), which provides that "each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records." The remainder of the Act implements this requirement. Illinois Freedom of Information Act links and documents: Frequently Asked Questions A Complete Guide to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (revised in Fall 2004) Text of Statute New Legislation How can I get a public record from a government agency in Illinois? Responding to requests under the Freedom of Information Act: A Guide for Government Agencies Sample Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request letter Helpful Links: Freedom of Information Center My FOIAs I will make the best effort possible to share the results of all my FOIA requests on this web site so stay tooned. The people of Illinois deserve to know exactly how this state is managed and where their money is going! 3/19/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services CMS Response 3/17/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services CMS Response 3/17/2009 FOIA Request for Legislator Contact Info including E-mails House Response 2/12/2009 FOIA Request to Central Management Services CMS Response
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