Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute (5 ILCS 140/1) that provides the public access to government documents and records. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure.

Before you submit a request

Check our website for the information you are looking for. You can use the search feature, or look at the commonly requested information linked below:

  

How do I submit a request?

CLICK HERE TO ENTER A REQUEST FOR RECORDS.

You will be asked to create an account. This will allow for the most efficient processing of your request and the records will be sent to you electronically.

*Note: As of March 15, 2021, records request system (GovQA) has reitred support for the use of these browsers: Microsoft Edge Legacy and Internet Explorer 11. It is recommend to upgrade to Microsoft Edge or use the latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

When can I expect a response to my request?

Requested documents will be produced in five (5) business days or twenty-one (21) business days for commercial requests. If an extension is necessary you will be notified. If your request is denied you will be notified regarding the reason and information regarding the appeal process.

Are there fees to receive copies?

If the information is sent electronically it will be sent at no cost.

Copies:

The first fifty (50) pages are free and each page after is $0.15 per page.

Color copies:

The first five (5) are free and each page after is fifty cents $.50 per page.

Oversized/Plat copies:

Actual cost to reproduce

CD/DVD:

Actual cost of medium

Accident reports:

Standard traffic: Five Dollars ($5.00) per copy;

Reports investigated by reconstruction officer/team : Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per copy

Contact Information

You may contact the Freedom of Information Act Officer for the City of Elgin at:

Jennifer Quinton, Deputy Clerk
150 Dexter Court
Elgin IL 60120
847-931-5660
Email

For the Police Records Department:

Hollis Healy, Deputy Director of Records
151 Douglas Avenue
Elgin IL 60120
847-289-2575

Email