Public records
Illinois FOIA requests for police surveillance records
Put an Illinois records request in the message body, track the ordinary response framework and preserve the material needed for Public Access Counselor review.
Sources checked .
Start with the holding public body
Illinois's Public Access Counselor describes FOIA as access to a public body's records on a particular subject, subject to statutory exemptions. Identify the department holding the policies, contracts or logs and use its published FOIA contact. Illinois AG: Public Access Counselor
Put the full electronic request in the message
Section 3 requires written requests directed to the public body. Electronic requests must contain their full text in the submission body; an agency need not open attachments or links to read them. The statute does not require a standard form. Paste the adapted template into the message itself. Illinois law: request and response rules
Track the ordinary response and any classification
Section 3 ordinarily requires compliance or denial within five business days. A valid extension adds up to five business days with timely notice of the reason and response date. Written agreements can set another period. Commercial, recurrent-requester and voluminous requests follow separate provisions. Illinois law: request and response rules
Answer a valid person-verification request
Under section 3(j), an agency reasonably doubting that a person submitted a request can seek oral or written verification. This pauses the clock; no reply within 30 days can lead to denial. The agency cannot require personal, private or identifying information for this verification. Illinois law: request and response rules
Copy and adapt this request
Replace the fields, narrow log dates, state any commercial purpose accurately and paste all the text into the electronic submission. The template does not promise that every requested record is disclosable. This site does not submit it.
Download request template (.txt)
To: [Holding public body's FOIA officer]
Date: [MM-DD-YYYY]
Subject: Illinois FOIA request: plate-reader governance records
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, I request electronic copies of the following existing records held by [agency] for [start date] through [end date]:
1. Plate-reader operating policies, retention schedules, audit procedures and training materials effective during the period.
2. Executed equipment and data-service contracts, amendments, purchase orders and invoices during the period.
3. Existing lists of sharing partners and executed data-sharing agreements effective during the period.
4. Existing access or query audit logs for [narrow date range], subject to applicable exemptions and lawful redaction. This request concerns system governance rather than an individual's movement history.
Please use an existing electronic format and send an estimate before charges exceed [$ amount].
Please provide the records or the written response applicable under FOIA. For withheld records or portions, please identify the specific legal authority and provide any accessible remainder. If invoking an extension or a special request category, please identify its basis and the resulting response date.
Name: [name]
Reply contact: [email or mailing address]
Commercial purpose, if applicable: [accurate statement]
Preserve a complete review file
Section 9.5 generally permits a Public Access Counselor review request within 60 days after final denial, with an exception for the General Assembly and its bodies. The request must be written, signed and include the original request and agency responses. Illinois law: Public Access Counselor review
Commercial-purpose requests have limits on PAC review; a commercial classification itself can be reviewed. The statute also allows review of a voluminous classification. Read those provisions if the agency assigns a special category. Illinois law: Public Access Counselor review
The Attorney General's current PAC page supplies its review contact, including [email protected]. This is a dispute-review route; the initial request goes to the holding public body. The PAC can resolve or mediate disputes and issue binding opinions, but the page does not promise a particular outcome. Illinois AG: Public Access Counselor
Questions and answers
Can the request details live only in an attachment?
Section 3(c) requires the full electronic request in the submission body. Illinois law: request and response rules
Can one ordinary deadline be applied to every category?
Section 3(i) assigns commercial, recurrent and voluminous requests to separate provisions. Illinois law: request and response rules
Does PAC review require the original request?
Section 9.5 requires the written, signed review request to include the original request and any agency responses. Illinois law: Public Access Counselor review
Sources and scope
Official General Assembly sections 3 and 9.5, with source notes effective 01-01-2026, and AG Public Access Counselor guidance checked 10-23-2026. This guide concerns existing governance records and the qualified review process.
- Illinois Attorney General: Public Access Counselor. Checked 10-23-2026.
- 5 ILCS 140/3, source note P.A. 104-438 effective 01-01-2026. Checked 10-23-2026.
- 5 ILCS 140/9.5, including P.A. 104-438 effective 01-01-2026. Checked 10-23-2026.