FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) |
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What is FOIA? The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Under the FOIA, agencies must disclose any information that is requested – unless that information is protected from public disclosure. The FOIA also requires that agencies automatically disclose certain information, including frequently requested records. As Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court have all recognized, the FOIA is a vital part of our democracy. Freedom of Information Officer The Superintendent shall serve as the District’s Freedom of Information Officer and assumes all the duties and powers of that office as provided in FOIA and this policy. The Superintendent may delegate these duties and powers to one or more designees, but the delegation shall not relieve the Superintendent of the responsibility for the action that was delegated. Access to District Public Records Full access to the District’s public records is available to any person as provided in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and District policy.
Freedom of Information Officer Contact Information FOIA Officer Jennifer Bahena Bookkeeper 1661 Cherry Hill Road Joliet IL 60433 Phone: (815) 726-5218 Fax: (815) 726-5056 Email: bookkeeper@union81.com
Requesting Records A request for inspection and/or copies of public records must be made in writing and may be submitted by personal delivery, mail, fax, or email directed to the District’s Freedom of Information Officer. Individuals making a request for a commericial pupose or when requesting a waiver must state so in the request.
All requests for inspection and copying shall immediately be forwarded to the District’s Freedom of Information Officer.
Requesting Records A request for inspection and/or copies of public records must be made in writing and may be submitted by personal delivery, mail, fax, or email directed to the District’s Freedom of Information Officer. Individuals making a request for a commercial purpose or when requesting a waiver must state so in the request. All requests for inspection and copying shall immediately be forwarded to the District’s Freedom of Information Officer or designee. Responding to Requests The Freedom of Information Officer shall approve all requests for public records unless: 1. The requested material does not exist. 2. The requested material is exempt from inspection and copying by the Freedom of Information Act. 3. Complying with the request would be unduly burdensome. Within five (5) business days after receipt of a request for access to a public record, the Freedom of Information Officer shall comply with or deny the request, unless the time for response is extended as specified in the Freedom of Information Act. Copying Fees A fee of 15¢ per page shall be charged for responses in excess of fifty (50) pages of black and white letter or legal sized copies. Access The inspection and copying of a public record that is the subject of an approved access request is permitted at the District’s administrative office during regular business hours, unless other arrangements are made by the Freedom of Information Officer. Many public records are immediately available from the District’s website including, but not limited to, a description of the District and methods for requesting a public record. |