Section 1551.40  Response to Requests for Public Records

a)         The Freedom of Information Officer shall respond to a written request for public records within 5 business days after the receipt by the Freedom of Information Officer.

b)         The Freedom of Information Officer shall respond to a request for public records in one of the following ways:

1)         Request further identification of records.  If the original request does not adequately identify the records sought, the requestor will be required to provide more detailed information in order to ascertain the identity of the records.  The Freedom of Information Officer shall respond to an amended request within 5 business days after its receipt.

2)         Give notice of an extension of time.  The Freedom of Information Officer may give notice of an extension of time to respond as permitted by Sections 3(e) and 3(i) of FOIA.  The requestor shall be advised, in writing, of the reason for the extension as set forth in Section 3 of FOIA.

3)         Approve the request.  When a request for public records has been approved, the Freedom of Information Officer may give notice that the requested material will be made available upon payment of applicable costs (See Appendix 3), or give notice of the time and place for inspection of the requested material.

4)         Approve in part and deny in part.  A partial denial will be processed in accordance with the procedures for denials as stated in paragraph (b)(5) of this Section.

5)         Deny the request.  A denial of a request for public records shall be made in writing.  It shall state the statutory basis for the denial in accordance with Section 9 of FOIA.  Copies of all notices of denial shall be available for public inspection.

c)         If the Freedom of Information Officer fails to respond to a written request within 5 business days after receipt, the requestor may consider the request to have been denied.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11098, effective August 20, 2025)