FOIA Denials & Appeals

A FOIA request may be granted, denied, or granted in part and denied in part. If a request for public records is denied, the Village shall notify the requester in writing of:

1. The decision to deny the request,
2. The reasons for the denial, including a detailed factual basis for the application of any exemption claimed, and
3. The names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial.

Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a), a requester can file a Request for Review with the PAC by writing to:

Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701

A Request for Review must be filed with the PAC within 60 calendar days of the date of the written denial (5 ILCS 140/9.5(a)). Please note that a copy of the original FOIA request and the denial letter/email must be included when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.

A requester also has the right to seek judicial review of the request by filing a lawsuit in the State circuit court (5 ILCS 140/11).