Your request should include:

• your name
• your address
• date
• phone number

Your request should include details of the information you are seeking to allow for the ROE to locate the requested records. Providing as much information as possible in your request may expedite the search process.

Information provided or denied under the FOIA, however, must conform to the legal requirements under the Act. It may also be denied if it falls within a category under Sec. 3 of the Freedom of Information Act.

When the ROE denies a request, it ROE must, within five (5) working days, or within any extended compliance period provided for in the Act, notify the person who made the request.

The Act is designed to allow the public to inspect or receive copies of record, but not for public bodies to answer questions. To the extent that you wish to ask questions of a representative of the ROE, you may call our office at (630) 444-3092.

All requests shall be responded to within five (5) working days (5 ILCS/140/3) following the date the request is received, except in the instance when the request is for commercial purposes (within 21 working days). The five-day count begins the day after receipt of the request. The requestor will be notified of a five-day extension (working days) if the files are voluminous, at different locations, or if other reasons make it impossible to assemble and mail the request out within the normal five-day period.

For black and white, letter or legal sized copies, the first 50 pages are free, unless a different fee is otherwise fixed  by statute. Any additional pages beyond 50 will be charged at 15 cents per copy. Color and oversized copies will be charged the actual cost of copying.