Written requests shall be responded to within five (5) working days (5 ILCA/140/3) following the date the request is received, except in the instance when the request is for commercial purposes.

The five (5) day count begins the day after the receipt of the request is received by the District. The requester may be notified of a five (5) day extension (working days) if the files are voluminous, at different locations, or if other reasons make it impossible to assemble the request within the normal five (5) day period.

Should you have any other questions, please contact Kerry Sullivan (OFPD FOIA Officer), at (708) 873-2711 or k.sullivan@orlandfire.org

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials. The principal mandate of the Act provides that each public body shall make available to any person for inspection, or upon submission of a written request, to provide copies of any requested records that are subject to disclosure under the Act. Not all records are subject to disclosure, and the Act provides a number of exemptions.

This Act is not intended to be used to violate individual privacy, not for the purpose of furthering a commercial enterprise or to disrupt the duly-undertaken work of any public body independent of the fulfillment of any of the rights of the people to access to information (5 ILCS 140/1).

For additional information regarding the Freedom of Information Act, please visit illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

Information provided or denied under the FOIA must conform to the legal requirements under the Act. Certain documents may be exempt from disclosure pursuant to specific sections in the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3/(g):7;7.5). When a public body denies a request for public records, that body must, within five (5) working days, or within any extended compliance period provided for in the Act, notify the person who made the request, by letter, of the decision to deny the request. The letter must explain the reasons for the denial, and give the names and titles of all persons responsible for the denial.

Any person denied access to inspect or copy any public record for any reason may appeal the denial by sending a written notice of appeal to the Public Access Counselor. You also have the right to seek judicial review for your denial by filing a law suit in the State circuit court (5 ILCS 140/11).