Ask an Illinois public body for records
Asks a public body for its records. We write the letter.
- What you need
- The body that holds the records
- What records you want
- Your name and a way to reply
- How long it takes
- About ten minutes
- What it costs
- Nothing to ask. A body may charge for copies over 50 pages.
The deadline
2026-09-28
A public body has 5 business days to answer, and may extend by 5 more for stated reasons. (5 business days)
Public holidays are not counted here. If one falls in the window the real date is later.
- Where this came from
- 5 ILCS 140/3(d), 3(e)
- Read by
- machine
Your answers stay on this device until you clear them.
Send it to the body's FOIA officer
Every public body must name a FOIA officer. The letter this writes is the request; where it goes depends on the body.