Show All Answers

1. What is a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request?

The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government, and other official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials.

The principle mandate of the Act provides that each public body, upon submission of a written request, shall make available to any person for inspection, or to provide copies of any requested records that are subject to disclosure under the Act. Not all records are subject to disclosure, and the Act provides a number of exemptions.

This Act is not intended to be used to violate individual privacy, nor for the purpose of furthering commercial enterprise (there are further rules covering commercial requests), or to disrupt the duly-undertaken work of any public body independent of the fulfillment of the rights of the people to access information (5 ILCS 140/1). The Act does not require the Village to create new records or to answer questions other than through the production of records.

2. Has there been an update regarding laws pertaining to FOIA requests?

On Jan. 1, 2010, changes to the State’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) went into effect governing the disclosure of government records to the public.

3. How do I make a FOIA request?

The Village of Westmont and the Westmont Police Department each has their own FOIA request process and forms.

For VILLAGE FOIA requests:
* In person at the Village Clerk’s Office, Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy during business hours
* Online from the Village Website - please click on the link below

For POLICE FOIA requests:
* In person at the Westmont Police Department, 500 N. Cass Avenue
* For more info regarding Police Department FOIA requests, please visit: https://westmont.illinois.gov/index.aspx?nid=503

Per FOIA rules, the Village and Police Department must accept and process all written requests that are submitted. Village FOIA Request Form

4. What’s the difference between a FOIA request for a general public record and a FOIA request for the Westmont Police Department?

Some requests for information are in regard to general public records that are filed with the Clerk’s Office. Other information requests are in regard to records that are kept at the Police Department. To assist with processing, the Village of Westmont recommends that all general public record FOIA requests be submitted directly to the Village Clerk’s Office at the Village Hall, and that all police-related FOIA requests be submitted directly to the Police Department. All FOIA requests submitted will be processed per FOIA guidelines regardless of where the request is turned in. Both the Village Clerk’s Office and the Police Department have official FOIA Officers who can assist with questions and request processing.

5. Can a FOIA request be denied?

Yes. Some information is considered private by FOIA standards and are therefore not released to the public. The Village Clerk’s Office will notify the requester within five (5) days of receiving the request that the information will not be made available to the public, the reason for the denial, and the staff member(s) who officially denied the request.

6. What is the charge for a FOIA request?

There is no charge or fee to submit a FOIA request. There is no charge for receiving an electronic copy of a document. Per FOIA law, the first fifty, 8 ½ X 11, black and white, print paper copies are free of charge. Each additional black and white copy will be .15 cents per page. Persons making requests that require other forms of duplication (color copies, large-format prints, compact disks, etc.) are charged for the material costs used in the duplication of the record. There will be no charge for staff time or internal labor.

7. How long does the Village of Westmont have to respond to a FOIA request?

Non - Commercial Requests: Response to requests for public records must be fulfilled within five (5) business days after the day that request has been received. There are some exceptions to this rule depending on the size of the request.

Commercial Requests: A public body shall respond to a request for records to be used for commercial purpose within 21 working days after receipt.  

8. Can a denied FOIA request be appealed?

Yes. Under FOIA rules, citizens may appeal a FOIA request denial. The appeal of this request must be made in writing directly to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, 500 S. Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62705. The phone number for this office is (217) 558-0486. The Public Access Counselor’s decision is reviewable under the Illinois Administrative Review Law.

For more information regarding general public records FOIA requests, please contact the Village of Westmont Clerk’s Office at 630-981-6220. For more information regarding police record FOIA requests, please contact the Westmont Police Department at 630-981-6300.