FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)
What is FOIA?
FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information
Act. 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. Pursuant to 5
ILCS 140, Section 2(c), a public record is any records,
reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books,
papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings,
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. Records that
are not subject to release via the FOIA process include
confidential and trade secret information.
How can I submit a FOIA request?
Requests must be submitted
in writing and can be either:
faxed to: 217/524-8585
or
mailed to:
Freedom
of Information Office
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
ATTN: FOIA Request
ISBE has no FOIA request form. Letters should state
that information is being sought under the Freedom of
Information Act. Provide a brief description of the public
records requested, being as specific as possible. While
responses can be provided via e-mail, please provide
a mailing address.
What happens after I submit a request?
The Illinois Freedom
of Information Act requires agencies to respond within
seven working days of receipt of
a request. A seven-day extension is allowed with
written notification to the requester.
If the requested
records are 40 pages, or less, in length, the pages
will be copied and mailed to the
requestor.
If the records exceed 40 pages, the requester will
be informed of the duplication cost.
What are the
costs for duplication?
FEE SCHEDULE FOR DUPLICATION OF PUBLIC
RECORDS |
| Type of Duplication |
Fee |
| Paper copy from paper or electronic
source, 39 pages or less |
no charge |
| Paper copy from paper or electronic source, 40 pages or more |
$.25 / page for all pages copied |
| Diskette or CD-ROM |
no charge |
| Copy of audio or video material |
cost of tape, disk, etc. |
Checks are to be made payable to: "Illinois State
Board of Education"
Is there a process to appeal ISBE’s decisions?
In
the event that part or all of a request is denied,
requesters may appeal the denial to the State Superintendent
of Education. A written notice of appeal should be
sent to:
State Superintendent of Education
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
ATTN: FOIA Appeal
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