Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act ensures that Illinois residents can obtain information about their government. District 33 will readily meet its obligation to provide community members with accurate information as a public institution.

What is FOIA?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public with the right to access government documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the public has a right to know what the government is doing. 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, documents containing information concerning trade secrets or personal privacy).

Who Can File a FOIA Request?

Anyone. Any person, group, association, corporation, firm, partnership, or organization has the right to file a FOIA request with any state or local public body, including any city, township, or county office.

How Do I Submit a FOIA Request?

FOIA requests should be submitted in writing. The request can be sent via email, US mail, or hand-delivered. A list of District 33 FOIA officers can be found on the right sidebar. For your convenience, we have also included a copy of the District 33 FOIA Request Form.