What is FOIA?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an Illinois state statute that provides the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. The full statute (5 ILCS 140) may be viewed on the Illinois General Assembly website, here. The statute ensures that records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request.

The following public records are available on the SWSRA website for download at any time (no FOIA request required):
Board Meeting Agenda & Minutes

How can I submit a FOIA request?
Requests for documents, in accordance with the State of Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), must be submitted in writing and directed to the Freedom of Information Officer at the following address:

Freedom of Information Officer, Nicolette Lahman, – FOIA Request
12521 S. Kostner Ave.
Alsip, IL 60803

What are the costs for duplication?
SWSRA may require a fee for producing copies of requested documents at a rate of 15 cents, per page copied, (after the first 50 pages regular size and black & white), in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6). (Odd size documents and color copies will be charged accordingly.)

If the requested records are 50 pages or less in length, the pages will be copied (regular size and black & white and the requester will be called regarding when the documents are ready to be picked up. (If the documents are mailed, the postage will need to be reimbursed before the documents would be mailed to the requester.) If the records exceed 50 pages, the requester will be informed of the duplication cost before copied.

What happens after I submit a request?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires agencies to respond in five business days after receipt of a request. A five-day extension is allowed with written notification to the requester.