Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended

upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."

~Abraham Lincoln

Open and honest government is the cornerstone of American democracy. FOIA is intended to ensure that members of the public have access to information about their government and its decision-making process. As a public official and a FOIA officer, you have a duty to assist the public in obtaining that information.

The Illinois General Assembly has declared, in the first paragraph of FOIA, that it is:

[T]he public policy of the State of Illinois 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 and public employees consistent with the terms of this Act. Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest. 5 ILCS 140/1.