FOIA Request

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides public access to government documents and records. Under the FOIA (read policy below), records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request. Public records are any records, reports, forms, writings, books, papers, maps, photographs, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared, or having been or being used, received, possessed, or under the control of any public body.

FOIA requests can be made officially to the Regional Office of Education in the following ways:

• Fax Requests: (815) 636-3069

• Electronic Requests: Email FOIA Officer/Secondary contact

• Call FOIA Officer: (815) 636-3060

• Mail Requests:
  Regional Office of Education 4
  Attn: Freedom of Information Act Officer
  300 Heart Blvd
  Loves Park, IL 61111

1-013  Illinois Freedom of Information Act – Public Access to Records

It is the policy of the Regional Office of Education to permit access to and the copying of public records in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, balanced by the limited exceptions recognized in the Act to safeguard individual privacy and the efficient operation of the Regional Office of Education.

The Regional Superintendent of Schools hereby authorizes and directs the following in regard to compliance:

1. FOIA officer(s) will research and respond to the requests for information.

Requests to the extent possible shall be in writing and be submitted to the Regional Superintendent of Schools or the designated representative.  These individuals shall respond within five (5) working days unless the time period for response is validly extended in accordance with the administrative procedures for disclosure of public records.  In an instance of denial, the applicant may appeal that decision to the Regional Superintendent of Schools and receive a determination within five (5) working days.

Requests for documents may be filed at the Regional Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on regular working days for that office. No fees shall be charged to the requester for the first fifty (50) pages of black and white, letter or legal size copies. After the first (50) pages, the fee schedule for reproducing and certifying documents shall be $.15 per page.