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Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the public has a right to know what the government is doing. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure (for example: records containing information concerning trade secrets or personal privacy).

Public bodies are subject to FOIA. The judiciary is not subject to FOIA, but court records and proceedings generally are open to the public.

Any person, group, association, corporation, firm, partnership or organization has the right to file a FOIA request to any state or local public body, including any city, township or county office.

Every public body must designate at least one person to act as the FOIA officer. Public bodies may have more than one FOIA officer. In addition, every public body must prominently display at its office and make available certain information, including the name(s) of its FOIA officer(s). The office also must display and make available: information on how to submit a FOIA; and a brief description of the office, including its purpose, budget and number of employees.

Submitting a FOIA

Just FOIA logo

 

Through the JustFOIA portal you are able to submit, view, and track your requests, along with view previously submitted request and responses.

 

Just FOIA Portal

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SUBMIT A FOIA

In addition to submitting a FOIA request through the JustFOIA portal, you can submit a request through one of our alternative options.

Email
FOIA@glenbrook225.org

Fax
(847) 486-4733

Mail or Personal Delivery
Glenbrook High School District 225
3801 W. Lake Ave., Glenview, IL  60026

The request should specify the records desired and include the name and address of the person requesting the information.

FOIA Officer

Carol Smith wearing a black suit.

Any request for public records may be addressed to Glenbrook High School District 225 FOIA Officer.

Carol L. Smith
Freedom of Information Act Officer

Glenbrook High School District 225
3801 W. Lake Ave.
Glenview, IL  60026S

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

 

FOIA Request Response

Within five business days after receipt of a request for access to a public record, the Freedom of Information Officer shall comply with or deny the request unless the time for response is extended as specified in Section 3 of FOIA.
The Freedom of Information Officer or designee shall approve all requests for public records unless:

  • The requested material does not exist;
  • The requested material is exempt from inspection and copying by the Freedom of Information Act; or
  • Complying with the request would be unduly burdensome.

Day one of the five-day timeline is the first business day after the public body receives the request. The date the request is received does not count as "Day 1."

Extension of Response

That time period may be extended for an additional five business days from the date of the original due date if:

  • The requested information is stored at a different location;
  • The request requires the collection of a substantial number of documents;
  • The request requires an extensive search;
  • The requested records have not been located and require additional effort to find;
  • The requested records need to be reviewed by staff who can determine whether they are exempt from FOIA;
  • The requested records cannot be produced without unduly burdening the public body or interfering with its operations; or
  • The request requires the public body to consult with another public body that has a substantial interest in the subject matter of the request.

Commercial Requests

Please be advised the response timeline is 21 days for commercial requests. District 225 asks that any request for a commercial purpose be disclosed. It is a violation of FOIA for a person to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose if requested to do so by the public body