A. Requests For Inspection: Pursuant to the freedom of information act 1 ("FOIA"), requests for inspection of or copies of records shall be made in writing and directed to the village's FOIA officer, but no standard form for such request is required. Requests may be made by mail, electronic mail, facsimile request, or personal delivery of a written request. If a requester wishes, the FOIA officer will provide the requester with a "freedom of information act request form" for his or her use. The FOIA officer, at his or her discretion, may also consider verbal FOIA requests.
B. Questions Answered: Questions regarding access to village records shall be directed to the FOIA officer, or his or her designee. In consideration of the type, size, and complexity of the document(s) requested, it may be necessary for a requester to make an appointment with the FOIA officer to answer questions or review documents.
C. Recurrent Requesters:
1. Pursuant to section 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 140/2(g) of the FOIA, a "recurrent requester" is defined as one who "in the twelve (12) months preceding the request, has submitted to the same public body: a) a minimum of fifty (50) requests for records, b) a minimum of fifteen (15) requests for records within a thirty (30) day period, or c) a minimum of seven (7) requests for records within a seven (7) day period", excepting requests made by news media and nonprofit, scientific, or academic organizations "when the principal purpose of the requests is: a) to access and disseminate information concerning news and current or passing events, b) for articles of opinion or features of interest to the public, or c) for the purpose of academic, scientific, or public research or education".
2. Within five (5) business days after receipt of a request from a "recurrent requester", the village shall notify the requester in writing: a) that the village is treating the request as a request under 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 140/2(g) ("recurrent requester") of the FOIA, b) the reason(s) the request is being treated in this way, and c) that the village will send its initial response to the request within twenty one (21) days of receipt of the request.
3. Within twenty one (21) business days after receipt of such a request, the village shall again respond to the requester, which response shall include an estimate of time required to fulfill the request; an estimate of the fees to be charged, and other estimated costs, and, if applicable, notification that the requester may be required to pay the fees and charges in full before the requested records are copied; and/or notification that the request is unduly burdensome and extend an opportunity to the requester to reduce the request to a manageable proportion; or provide the requested records.
4. If the requested records were not provided to the requester within the aforesaid twenty one (21) business day period, unless the records are exempt from disclosure, the requested records shall be sent to the recurrent requester within a reasonable period thereafter, considering the size and complexity of the request. (Ord. 2011-O-25, 11-1-2011)
Notes
| 1 | 2. 5 ILCS 140. |