Freedom of Information Act

Our Objective is Open and Transparent Governance

The Freedom of Information Act, also called FOIA, is a state law that requires governments to provide the general public with open access to all its records and documents, unless protected as private information and exempt under the Act.   

North Riverside is committed to open and honest governing, therefore, many records are readily available online for review and download.   Please refer to our Directory of Records for a listing of records that do not need to be requested by FOIA. 

Requesting Records

All requests for Village documents must be made in writing either in person or via fax, email or mail.  The Village will not accept verbal FOIA requests over the telephone or in person.   For convenience, requests can be made using the online FOIA request form, downloading the Village's recommended electronic FOIA request form or by sending the request in writing to the following:

Village of North Riverside

FOIA Officer

2401 S. DesPlaines Avenue

North Riverside, IL 60546

foia@northriverside-il.org

FOIA Processing

All requests for Village documents will be directed to one of the Village's FOIA Officers. The Village will respond to all Freedom of Information requests within five working days of its receipt, beginning the next business day following the date the request is received. FOIA requests are processed between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm., Monday through Friday.  If additional time is needed, requestors will be notified of the Village’s intent to respond within an additional five working days as permitted under the Act.

If any of the materials requested are exempt under the Act, requestors will be notified in writing of the specific exemption which applies to the documents and requestors will be provided with all non-exempt materials. Requestors may seek judicial review of any denial or partial denial of a request by the Public Access Counselor in the Office of the Attorney General.  Any request for review to the Public Access Counselor must be in writing and signed and must include a copy of the original request and the Village’s denial letter.  Requests for review must be filed not later than sixty days after the date of the denial and submitted to the following:

Public Access Counselor

Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Public Access and Opinions Bureau

500 S Second Street

Springfield, IL 62706

FOIA Responses

Unless otherwise specified, all FOIA responses will be provided electronically via email. If no email address is provided on the FOIA Request Form, requests will be made available for pick-up at the administration counter of the Village Commons.  If requested, copies of public records will be mailed after the Village receives payment of the cost of postage and copying fees if over 50 pages. 

Fees for FOIA Documents

Copies of public records will be provided upon payment of a copying fee, if applicable, as outlined:

• 1st 50 pages (black & white copy only) - No charge
• $0.15 per page thereafter
• $1 per data CD