FOIA
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that provides the public the right to request access to public records from federal agencies. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that provides the public the right to request access to public records from state and local agencies, including school districts. FOIA is a critical tool to promote transparency, accountability, and trust in public entities.
Under FOIA, governmental bodies are required to provide existing public records. If your inquiry is a question and not a request for a specific record/document, please contact the Huntley 158 Communications Office at (847) 659-6105. You do not need to file a FOIA unless you want to access a specific record/document.
How to Submit a FOIA Request
You can submit a FOIA request by email, mail or in-person. See below:
1) Send an email to foia@district158.org. Add your FOA request in the body of the email.
2) Complete a FOIA request form and either fax the form to (847) 659-6125 or drop it off or mail it to:
Huntley Community School District 158
Attn: FOIA Officer
650 Dr. John Burkey Drive
Algonquin, IL 60102
FOIA requests and responsive documents are submitted to the Board of Education for review monthly. While not required by law, Huntley 158 posts most fulfilled requests* to its website for increased transparency and as a courtesy to the public. Click the button below to view fulfilled FOIA requests from January 2024 to present. Before filing a FOIA request, requestors are encouraged to visit this archive to confirm whether a similar request has already been made and fulfilled.
*FOIA requests that may be excluded from public view include video recordings and those that may identify individual students or exacerbate a situation that could cause undue harm per Board Policy 7:340.
FOIA Exemptions
To allow governmental bodies to operate efficiently and protect personal privacy, the Act exempts (excludes) specific types of records from public release, with some general examples including but limited to: medical records, student records, attorney-client privileged correspondence, staff discipline files, test questions and answers, security plans, and the minutes of closed session meetings not yet approved by Board vote for release.
If your request pertains to a student's record (academics, discipline, etc.), please fill out a student records request form (rather than an FOIA request form) and submit it to your school principal.
Response Timelines
Public bodies are required to respond in writing to written requests for records within 5 working days. If within those 5 working days the public body denies the request, it must notify the requester in writing and cite the reason(s) under the law.
The public body has 21 business days to respond to a request for records which will be used for “commercial purposes.” Under the FOIA law, commercial purposes means the use of any part of a public record or documentation derived from a public record in any form for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services.
Appeals
As the requester, you have the right to “request for review” (appeal) Huntley 158’s response to any request. See below for contact information for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Attorney General
500 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: (877) 299-3642
Fax: (217) 782-1396