Freedom of Information

Add an a FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.  Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request.  Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/2(c), "public records" means all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared, or having been or being used, received, possessed or under the control of any public body.  Records that are not subject to release via the FOIA process include confidential and trade secret information.  

 Section 5 ILCS 140/3.5 of the act requires the HAMC to make available a list of documents or categories of records that can be disclosed immediately upon request. The items listed below constitute many but not all of the records that are immediately available. 

• Board meeting minutes
• Budgets
• Audit reports
• Financial performance documents
• Quick facts - agency personnel, leaders, board members, client statistics
• Strategic plans - Annual and 5-Year Plans
• Policy documents
• Office information and location

1. Complete a FOIA request form.
2. Submit completed form to the HAMC FOIA Officer.
3. Based on the nature of the request, there may be a fee assessed. You'll be informed of any such fee prior to production of the materials.
4. FOIA response time.  

•  Standard Requests: Public bodies must respond within 5 business days after receiving the request. The timeline begins on the first business day following receipt. 
• Commercial Requests: For requests made for commercial purposes, the public body has 21 business days to respond. 
• Extensions: This period may be extended for an additional 5 business days for specific statutory reasons, provided the requester is notified in writing within the initial 5-day period.
• Written Agreements: Parties may mutually agree in writing to extend these deadlines.