FAQs

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, addresses the public's right to access public records that are created, compiled, or kept by government bodies. The Village of Indian Head Park must provide public records unless there is an exemption in the Act that protects those records from disclosure. The Act doesn't require the Village to create any public records it doesn't already have.

Freedom of Information Act Request Types

Non Commercial Freedom of Information (FOIA) Request

The Village of Libertyville responds to all public record requests in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140. A response to a request for records for non-commercial purposes will be made within five (5) business days after receipt of the request. The Village will require full payment of fees, if any, prior to the disbursement of the request for non-commercial purposes.

Commercial Freedom of Information (FOIA) Request

The Village of Libertyville responds to freedom of information requests for commercial purposes in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3.1). A request for commercial purpose is defined as the use of any part of a public record or records or information derived from public records in any form for sale, resale or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services. A response to a request for records for commercial purposes will be made within twenty-one (21) business days after receipt of the request. The Village will require full payment of fees, if any, prior to the disbursement of the request for commercial purposes.

How many days will it take the Village to respond to my FOIA request?

The Village of Libertyville has five (5) business days (not including weekends and holidays) from the day after it receives the request to respond. That deadline may be extended for an additional five (5) business from the date of the original due date if:

- The requested documents are stored off-site

- A substantial number of documents are required to fulfill the request

- The request requires an extensive search of documents

- The requested documents have not been located and require additional effort to find

- The requested documents need to be reviewed by staff to determine whether all or part of individual documents are exempt and may not be disclosed

If additional time is needed, the Village of Libertyville must notify the requester in writing within 5 business days after the receipt of the request detailing the reasons for the extension and when the documents will be produced.

Can I request single family residential architectural plans?

Architectural plans are the property of the licensed architect who prepared the plans. The Village is unable to release copies of any architectural plans without the written permission of the architect who prepared the plans.