Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the public has a right to know what the government is doing. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statue that protects those records from disclosure.
District 69 is obligated to respond within 5 business days after a request is received. Day 1 of the 5-day timeline is the first business day after the request is received by the public body. If additional time is needed, the public body must notify the requester within 5 business days after the receipt of the request of the statutory reasons for the extension and when the requested information will be produced.
There are several exceptions to public disclosure that include, but are not limited to: private information, personal information, law enforcement records, preliminary drafts, business trade secrets, proposals and bids until a final selection is made and requests that are unduly burdensome. The requester will be notified in writing specifying reasons for the denial. The requester has the right to appeal the public body’s response by filing a request for review with the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor within 60 calendar days.
Additional information can be found by going to the Illinois Attorney General’s Website.
How to file a FOIA Request
Per Board Policy 2:250, requests for records must be made in writing. You are not required to complete a standard form for this purpose; however, a form is provided to assist you in making the request. Please be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking.
FOIA is designed to allow you to inspect or receive copies of records. Answers to many common FOIA requests can often be found on our website or by calling the District Office at 847-675-7666 to be directed to the appropriate person.
When making your request, please provide the following information:
- Requester’s Name
- Name of Organization (if applicable)
- How requested documents should be delivered (pick-up, mail, fax, email)
- Address to where the file should be sent (if applicable)
- Requestor’s telephone number(s)
- Specific information regarding the documents being sought
- Completed and signed FOIA Request Form (if applicable)
- File a FOIA request in one of the following ways:
- Mail or deliver to Maier Administration Center, 5050 Madison Street, Skokie, IL 60077
- Fax to the FOIA Officer at 847-675-7675
- Scan and email to FOIA@skokie69.net
- If you have any questions, please contact District 69 FOIA officer, Dr. Sonali Patil, (PatilS@Skokie69.net) or Superintendent Dr. Margaret Clauson (clausonm@skokie69.net)
TYPES OF PUBLIC RECORDS MAINTAINED BY D69
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GENERAL |
FINANCIAL |
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Agendas, and Minutes |
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