Introduction to Freedom of Information (FOIA)

FOIA is the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request. [Illinois FOIA Statute] Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140, Section 2 ( c ), a public record is any records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communication, recorded information and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used, received, in possession of or under the control of any public body. 

Some records are, however, not available for disclosure via the FOIA process; these types of records are described under Section 7 of FOIA, specifically 5 ILCS 140, Section 7 (1) (a) thru (y) and Section 7.5 (Statutory Exemptions).  Some FOIA disclosures may also be restricted by confidentiality provisions imposed by other state and federal statutes, such as the Illinois Oil & Gas Act, the state Criminal Code, etc.  The FOIA process does not supercede applicable statutory or judicial mandates concerning confidentiality, proprietary business/trade matters, Aclearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy@ matters, etc.

The FOIA program for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is managed separately from similar FOIA programs of other state and/or federal government entities. The administrative regulations for the IDNR FOIA program is 2 Ill. Adm. Code 826. These regulations provide further details about the IDNR procedures for its FOIA program.

Access to IDNR Information

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was created by the consolidation of five separate State agencies, effective July 1, 1999, which included the Department of Conservation, the Department of Mines and Minerals, the Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Counsel, the Department of Transportation's Division of Water Resources, and the Illinois State Museum and state scientific surveys (e.g., Illinois Geological Survey, Illinois Water Survey and Illinois Waste Management Research Center) from the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources.

Each IDNR program is relied upon for responding to FOIA requests.  Prior to submitting a FOIA information request, you should search the IDNR website information concerning the various IDNR natural resources programs.  Your search may help you:

1)   To obtain information that is available through the website (e.g., pending mining permit applications);

2)   To obtain information that is free and immediately available (e.g., printed educational pamphlets, posters, listings, directories, etc.);

3)   To obtain information already available at a minimal fee (e.g., watercraft registrations);

4)   To focus your information request by directing the FOIA request to the appropriate IDNR program(s);

5)   To contact IDNR program staff who can answer questions and assist defining your written information request; or

6)   To contact other state agency(s) that may also have relevant information.

IDNR Offices: Administration | Office of Architecture, Engineering and Grants | Director's Office | Law Enforcement | Land Management (State Parks/Camping/outdoor recreation info) | Legal | Legislation | Mines & Minerals | Public Events, Programs & Promotions | Public Services | Realty & Environmental Planning | Resource Conservation | Scientific Research and Surveys | Water Resources

How to Submit FOIA Request

To access natural resources information from any IDNR program through the FOIA process, you need to submit a written request pursuant to the Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140).FOIA request form. Although use of this request form is not required, the form provides information which will help IDNR process FOIA requests.

Your FOIA request may be submitted in writing by means of fax (217-785-2438), electronic correspondence, the US mail or special carrier.  For US mail or special carrier, FOIA requests should be addressed to: Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Attn: FOIA Officer, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271

IDNR Records

IDNR public records are maintained and organized by each separate IDNR program offices.  These records may be organized by site location, facility name, grant/contract project, annual chronology, individual name, or date.  Consequently, it is important to provide specific descriptive information when requesting information through the FOIA process in order to identify the appropriate IDNR office, file, database, archive, etc.
 
IDNR public records are also maintained in various media format that include paper, microfilm, digital images, and electronic records.  In certain situations, information cannot be effectively extracted onto a paper or an electronic format.  In those situations, special arrangements, such as onsite viewing or your use of commercial copy vendors, may be necessary. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Commonly asked questions of the IDNR's FOIA process are answered in this section.                                 

Authority
This website information concerning the IDNR FOIA program is being provided as required by Section 4 of the FOIA (5 ILCS 140/4).  This website information may be revised and/or updated in the future.