Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140 et. seq.) is the Illinois Statute governing the inspection of public records. This Act provides for public inspection of records in the possession of the City of Palos Hills. Exemptions also are provided to insure the confidentiality of certain records. The Act went into effect on January 1, 2010.
The City Clerk’s Office maintains the centralized records of the City, with the exception of Police records, which are maintained by the Police Department.
To Make a FOIA Request
Before you complete a Freedom of Information Act Request Form, please check the City’s website for the information you’re seeking. Use the search tool if you’re looking for information pertaining to a specific subject; you may also find what you’re looking for on the Open Government page.
The City will respond within 5 business days after the request is received (starting with the first business day after a request is received). In cases where additional time is necessary, a letter will be sent within the five business day period. Any written request faxed or emailed to the City after business hours (normal business hours are considered to be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, holidays excluded) will be considered received on the next business day.
Commercial Requests
A commercial FOIA request is when the requester seeks to use part or all of the public records for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services.
The FOIA Officer has 21 business days to respond to a request for information that is made for a commercial purpose.
Please note that it is a violation of the Freedom of Information Act for a person to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose.
FOIA Officers
You can submit a completed request in person or in writing to the City’s FOIA Officers at the following information:
City Hall
Contact: Jennifer Ryan, City FOIA Officer
10335 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Phone: (708) 598-3400 x1103
Fax: (708) 598-2475
foia@paloshillsweb.org
Police Department
Contact: Wendy Bartelment, Police Department FOIA Officer
8555 W. 103rd Street, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Phone: (708) 598-2992
Fax: (708) 598-9410
wbartelment@phpd.org
Written requests can be submitted to the FOIA Officer via mail, fax, email, or in-person.
Fees
First 50 pages: No fee
51 pages or more: $0.15 per page
Accident Report: $ 5.00 per report