How to File a Public Records Request in Joliet, Illinois

What Is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act?

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) is a state statute that grants every person the right to inspect and copy public records held by any public body in Illinois. Originally enacted in 1984 and substantially overhauled in 2010, the law now stands as one of the most comprehensive public records statutes in the country. It applies to state agencies, municipalities, school districts, and all other government entities — including the City of Joliet.

Under 5 ILCS 140/2(c), a “public record” is broadly defined as any record, writing, electronic communication, photograph, recording, or other documentary material prepared, received, or under the control of a public body in connection with public business. This includes city council meeting minutes, contracts and agreements, building permits, budget documents, email correspondence, police reports, and vendor invoices.

The law contains exemptions — covering items such as private personal information, active law enforcement investigative files, attorney-client privileged communications, and certain preliminary drafts. However, these exemptions are construed narrowly: the burden of proving that a record is exempt rests entirely on the agency, not the requester. If a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body must redact only the exempt portions and release the rest.

Read the full text of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 140/1 et seq. (5 ILCS 140/1–140/11))

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Joliet

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Joliet accepts FOIA requests through multiple channels. The preferred and most efficient method is the City's online FOIA portal, accessible via the City Clerk's FOIA page at joliet.gov. The portal allows you to submit your request, track its status, and download responsive records electronically. You may also submit by email to [email protected], by fax to (815) 724-3785, by mail to the City Clerk's Office at 150 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432, or in person at City Hall during business hours. While the City notes that requests are "preferably" submitted on a City of Joliet FOIA Request Form, use of that form is not required by law. Requests may be submitted in any written format as long as they clearly describe the records sought. Per Illinois Public Act 104-0438, effective January 1, 2026, emailed FOIA requests must contain the entire request within the body of the email — attachments or hyperlinks are not required to be opened by the City.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and mailing address
• A daytime phone number and/or email address for follow-up
• A clear, specific description of the records you are requesting (dates, document types, subject matter)
• Your preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
• Whether the request is for a commercial purpose (required by law; affects the response timeline)
• Whether you are requesting a fee waiver and the specific public-interest reason for the waiver
• Any relevant case numbers, addresses, dates, or other identifiers that will help the City locate the records

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under 5 ILCS 140/3(d), the City of Joliet must respond to a written FOIA request within five (5) business days of receiving it. Unlike some states, Illinois does not distinguish between resident and non-resident requesters for standard requests — the five-business-day deadline applies equally to all. For requests made for a commercial purpose, however, the deadline extends to twenty-one (21) business days.

A "response" means the City must either provide the records, notify you that the records are available for inspection, issue a written denial identifying the specific exemption(s) relied upon, or provide a written notice of extension. An extension of up to five additional business days is permitted under 5 ILCS 140/3(e) if certain conditions apply — for example, the records are voluminous, stored off-site, or require evaluation by specialized personnel. The written extension notice must state the reason for the delay and the date by which the City will respond.

If the City fails to respond within the statutory deadline, the request is legally deemed denied and you may immediately seek review by the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC) or file a lawsuit in circuit court.

Regarding fees: the first 50 pages of standard black-and-white copies are provided at no charge. Additional pages are $0.15 each. Color copies are $0.15 per page; plat pages larger than 11” x 17” are $1.00 per page; audio CDs and photo DVDs are $1.00 per disc. Notably, if the City fails to respond within the five-business-day deadline, it may not charge any reproduction fees.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Receiving a denial or no response to a FOIA request in Joliet can be frustrating, but Illinois law gives you meaningful options to challenge either outcome.

If the City of Joliet denies your request, it must provide a written denial that identifies the specific statutory exemption(s) it is relying on, a detailed factual basis for that exemption, and the names and titles of the individuals responsible for the decision (5 ILCS 140/9(a)). A blanket refusal without this detail is itself a violation of the Act. If you receive no response within five business days, the silence is treated as a denial and you can act immediately.

Common reasons for denial include: claims that records fall within the personal privacy or personnel file exemptions; assertions that records are part of an active law enforcement investigation; attorney-client privilege; or a finding that the request is overly broad and would unduly burden the public body. Some of these denials are legitimate — others are not. The exemptions are meant to be construed narrowly, and the City bears the burden of proof.

The most efficient first step is to contact the City Clerk's Office directly to discuss the denial, clarify the scope of your request, or ask whether a narrower request might yield results. If that doesn't resolve the issue, Illinois law provides a powerful and free appeals route through the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC). Filing a Request for Review with the PAC costs nothing, and the PAC can mediate the dispute, issue a binding opinion, or refer the matter for further action. If a court ultimately finds that the City willfully and purposefully violated FOIA, civil penalties of $2,500 to $5,000 may be imposed and reasonable attorney fees may be awarded to you.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the Joliet City Clerk's Office to discuss the denial, clarify your request, or ask whether a narrowed request would be fulfilled.
2. If the denial stands, file a written Request for Review with the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC) within 60 days of the denial, per 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). Submit by email to [email protected], by phone at 1-877-299-FOIA (1-877-299-3642), by fax to (217) 782-1396, or by mail to 500 S. 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62706.
3. The PAC will review the request, forward a copy to the City within 7 business days, and determine whether further action is warranted. The PAC may mediate the dispute, issue a binding opinion within 60 days (extendable by 21 days), or resolve the matter informally.
4. If the PAC finds the denial was improper and issues a binding opinion, the City is legally required to comply. Either party may appeal a binding PAC opinion to the circuit court under administrative review.
5. Alternatively — or in addition — you may file a lawsuit directly in the Will County Circuit Court (or the county in which you reside) for injunctive or declaratory relief under 5 ILCS 140/11, without first going through the PAC.
6. If a court finds the City willfully and purposefully failed to comply with FOIA, it may impose civil penalties of $2,500 to $5,000 per violation and award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing requester under 5 ILCS 140/11(j) — without any requirement to show bad faith beyond the willful violation itself.
7. For guidance, contact the Better Government Association (BGA) at bettergov.org or the Illinois Press Association, both of which provide FOIA resources and training for residents.

Types of Records You Can Request from Joliet, Illinois

The City of Joliet generates and maintains a wide range of public records as part of its day-to-day operations. The following are among the most commonly requested record types under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

• City Council meeting minutes, agendas, and video recordings
• Mayoral and City Council resolutions and ordinances
• City contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement documents
• Building permits, inspection reports, and code enforcement actions
• Zoning decisions, variance applications, and planning commission records
• Police incident reports, arrest records, and use-of-force reports
• Police department body camera and dashcam footage (subject to applicable exemptions)
• Fire department incident reports and inspection records
• City budget documents, expenditure reports, and audit findings
• Employee salary and compensation records (excluding private personnel files)
• Property tax and assessment records maintained by the city
• Environmental permits and compliance inspection records
• Grant applications and federal funding records
• City-owned property deed and easement records
• Citizen service requests submitted through the City’s CitizenVUE portal

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of Joliet to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Joliet