We talk a lot about the FOIA request process, and the transparency victories that follow, on this blog, but we have yet to get into the nitty-gritty of what the experience is like, the steps that need to be taken to file a FOIA request, and the responses one can expect from engaging with different agencies.
In an effort to illuminate, we’re launching a series where we’ll track a Chicago Headline Club FOIA request, submitted Jan. 3 to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, requesting the names and contact info of the state’s FOIA officers (which we’re gathering for another transparency project for you fine folks).
Check out copies of two emails sent by our president, Alden Loury, to the IAG’s office Jan. 3. He was warned on the phone that some personal information may be redacted from the materials he’s requested. We’ll keep you posted on any updates as they come in.
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From: Chicago Headline Club
Subject: FOIA officers who’ve registered with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General
Date: January 3, 2013 4:03:53 PM CST
To: foiaofficer@atg.state.il.us
In accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act 140/3, please provide a copy of the name, title and position, public body, address, city, state, ZIP code, email, and phone number for any and all individuals who’ve registered as a FOIA officer with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office since 2010 and who listed a ZIP code of 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604 or 60606. I was told that seeking individuals of select ZIP codes would be a more palatable way to request this information from the OIAG.
Please provide the information in a spreadsheet, database or some other electronic or digital format via email to [Email Redacted]. It appears that the OIAG collects this information via an online form at https://foia.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you need additional info to process this request.
Thanks so much for any help you can offer.
Chicago Headline Club
Begin forwarded message:
From: Chicago Headline Club
Subject: FOIA officers who’ve registered with the Public Access Counselor
Date: January 3, 2013 9:44:54 AM CST
To: PublicAccess@atg.state.il.us
Sarah Pratt —
Happy New Year. I hope you’re well.
I’m the president of the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. We’ve created a website/blog that we hope will serve as a resource for journalists that use FOIA or have experienced problems with FOIA. We’d like to offer a comprehensive listing of FOIA officers in Illinois, particularly those with government agencies in the six-county Chicago area. Would your office share with us a list of the FOIA officers (and their contact info) who’ve registered with your office?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Sincerely,
Chicago Headline Club