EXEMPTIONS 鈥� RECORDS THAT ARE NOT PUBLIC
鈥淧ublic records鈥� are defined in FOIA as 鈥渁ll records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, 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 by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body.鈥� (5 ILCS 140/2(c)) Given this broad definition, FOIA is intended to cover any document, regardless of form, that pertains to government business.
The FOIA law has a presumption that all information is public, unless the public body proves otherwise. There are several exceptions to public disclosure that include but are not limited to:
- Private information 鈥� 鈥淧rivate information鈥� is exempt from disclosure under FOIA. FOIA defines 鈥減rivate information鈥� as 鈥渦nique identifiers, including a person鈥檚 social security number, driver鈥檚 license number, employee identification number, biometric identifiers, personal financial information, passwords or other access codes, medical records, home or personal telephone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses.鈥� Under FOIA, 鈥減rivate information also includes home addresses and personal license plate numbers, except as otherwise provided by law or when compiled without possibility of attribution to any person.鈥�
- Personal information that, if disclosed, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, unless the disclosure is consented to in writing by the person who is the subject of the information. Under FOIA, the 鈥渦nwarranted invasion of personal privacy鈥� means the 鈥渄isclosure of information that is highly personal or objectionable to a reasonable person and in which the subject鈥檚 right to privacy outweighs any legitimate public interest in obtaining the information.鈥� Disclosing information that relates to the public duties of public employees is not considered an invasion of personal privacy.
- Law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with a pending or reasonably contemplated proceeding or that would disclose the identity of a confidential source.
- Information that, if disclosed, might endanger anyone鈥檚 life or physical safety.
- Preliminary drafts or notes in which opinions are expressed or policies are formulated, unless the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body.
- Business trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential and disclosure would cause competitive harm to the person or business.
- Proposals and bids for any contract, until a final selection is made.
- Requests that are 鈥渦nduly burdensome.鈥�
COMMERCIAL REQUESTS
A commercial request is when the requester seeks to use part or all of the public records for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services. Requests by the news media, not-for-profit organizations, scientific or academic institutions are not considered commercial information requests.
A public body has 21 business days to respond to a request for information that is made for a commercial purpose. The public body can either:
- provide the requested records;
- advise when the records will be provided and the costs;
- deny the request (if it falls under an exception);
- advise the requester that the request is unduly burdensome.