What is the FOIA?

Enacted on July 4, 1966, and taking effect one year later, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.

WESCOM supports the FOIA and welcomes all requests. Although not required, it is encouraged to complete WESOM's Freedom of Information Act Request Form as it may help in processing your FOIA request faster. FOIA requests can be made by completing the online form below. 

There is no fee required to submit a FOIA, however, certain fees may apply in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. By making a FOIA request, the requestor shall be considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25.00 unless a fee waiver has been granted. If WESCOM estimates that the total fees for processing a FOIA request will exceed $25.00, WESCOM will notify the requestor in writing of the estimate and offer the requestor an opportunity to narrow the request in order to reduce the fees.

For more information visit Freedom of Information Act.

 

Critical Information That Will Help Your FOIA Request Process Faster

If you can provide any or all of the following details below, it will help with processing your FOIA request much faster:

  • The police report number (include the police department as well)
  • The date, or each date, the incident(s) occurred
  • The approximate time the incident (or each incident) occurred
  • The address of the incident or approximate location of the incident
  • The name(s) of person(s) involved

 

WESCOM's FOIA Response

WESCOM will respond to your FOIA request in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). A response to a FOIA request is given within five (5) business days unless an extension is agreed upon between WESCOM and the requestor.
WESCOM makes redactions in accordance with Section 7(1)(b) of FOIA (5 ILCS 140/7(1)(b)) for Private Information which can include:
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Social security numbers
  • Biometric identifiers
  • Medical records
  • Personal telephone numbers
  • Personal e-mail addresses
  • Home addresses
  • Personal license plates
  • And signatures

 

WESCOM also makes redactions in accordance with Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA (5 ILCS 140/7(1)(c)) for Personal Information which can include:

  • Dates of birth
  • Race
  • Victims' names and their identifying information
  • Other third-party names
  • Specific medical information (identifying information and specific emergency medical services information)

 

 

 

WESCOM FOIA FORM

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Purpose of Request:



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