Freedom of Information Act

  • General Information

    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).

    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.

    Any request for public records may be addressed to:

    Anna Pasternak, Freedom of Information Officer

    AnnaPasternak@u-46.org

    School District U-46/District Records Office

    1019 East Chicago Street

    Elgin, Illinois 60120

    Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

    Requests may be submitted in writing by mail, personal delivery, e-mail or other means available. The request should specify the records desired and include the name and address of the person requesting the information.  Records may be inspected in person during regular office hours at the location specified above.  A charge of $.15 per page for legal or letter-sized copies is imposed starting with the 51st printed page.

    A response from the District to a request for inspection or copying of records will be provided within five business days after receipt of the request.  Day one of the five-day timeline is the first business day after the request is received by the public body.  The date the request was received does not count as "Day 1."  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 substantial interest in the subject matter of the request.
     

    List of Types of Public Records Maintained on the School District U-46 Website

    School District U-46 maintains the following public records and they are available on this website. You can be directed to the following by clicking on the hyperlinks:

    GENERAL

    FINANCIAL

    PERSONNEL

    To better serve the community and achieve greater transparency in government, School District U-46 offers Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) forms and information on-line as a public courtesy.

    The on-line features include:

     

    How to file a FOIA request with School District U-46

    1. All requests to inspect and/or to obtain a copy of a District record must be made in writing. Print the District U-46 FOIA Request Form. This form is provided for convenience only – it’s use is not required.
    2. Complete and sign your request form
    3. File your signed FOIA request in one of the following ways:
      1. Mail or deliver it to:
        District Records Office
        School District U-46
        1019 East Chicago Street
        Elgin, Illinois 60120
      2. Fax it to 847-608-2759
      3. E-mail it to AnnaPasternak@u-46.org
    4. Should you have any questions about this process, the District Records Department welcomes your calls at 847-888-5000 x: 5329