Freedom of Information Act

Click HERE to submit an electronic FOIA request. 

The city's website provides the name, address, phone number, and electronic contact method for the city's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer. It also includes the address, phone number, and electronic submission method for FOIA requests. The website details the FOIA process response time and any fees charged by the city in connection with FOIA requests and responses.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Procedures to Obtain Records Under the FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute (5 ILCS 140) that provides for a straight-forward, easy-to-use method for the public to gain access government records. Any person who wishes to inspect and/or obtain copies of public records from the City of Oakbrook Terrace shall submit a FOIA request to the City Clerk's Office unless the document in question can be obtained immediately. 

The city will respond to all Freedom of Information requests within five working days of its receipt. If additional time is needed, you will be notified of the city's intent to respond within an additional five working days as permitted under the Act. If any of the materials you have requested are exempt under the Act, you will be notified in writing of the specific exemption which applies to the documents. You will be provided with all non-exempt materials. You may seek review of any denial, or partial denial, of your request by judicial review pursuant to Section 11 of the Act, or by submitting a request for review to the Public Access Counselor in the Office of the Attorney General at the address set forth below. Any request for review to the Public Access Counselor must be in writing, signed by you, must include a copy of your request and the response, or responses, you have received from the city, and must be filed not later than sixty days after the date of the denial.

Public Access Counselor
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
Public Access & Opinions Bureau
500 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62706

Fees and Costs

Fees and costs apply to reproducing and certifying public records. If a payment is due, you will be contacted about the price, which must be paid prior to receiving the documents. For black-and-white, letter, or legal-sized copies, the first 50 pages are free; additional pages will incur a cost per page.  

Commercial Request is when the requestor seeks to use part or all of the public records for sale, resale, solicitation, or advertisement for sales or services. A public body has 21 business days to respond to a request for information that is made for a commercial purpose. 

Making a Request

To help our residents access public information, the city has partnered with GovPilot to fulfill FOIA requests. Requests can be submitted through the link below. After registering, follow the instructions to submit your request. FOIA officers will handle responses to requests.

Click HERE to submit an electronic FOIA request.

Using the FOIA Systems Website

To find further information on Public Act 5 ILCS 140/1 and the procedure for walk-in requests, click the information below to access the Request for Public Records form. The software GovPilot link allows you to track your request and response. If you have difficulty submitting a request, please email the FOIA officer at foia@oakbrookterrace.net.