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1. What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The law provides that a person can ask the public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure. Freedom of Information Act

2. Who can file a Freedom of Information request?

Any person, group, association, corporation, firm, partnership or organization has the right to file a Freedom of Information request to any state or local public body, including any city, township or county office. Freedom of Information Act

3. How do I submit a request for information, and what information do I include on my request?

Requests for records from the Police Department must be submitted in writing, by email, mail or any other means to the Rock Island Police Department, 1212 5th Avenue, Rock Island IL 61201. All other requests for information/records must be submitted in writing, by email, mail or any other means to the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201. For convenience, a Freedom of Information request form is available on this website, but it is not required. Please include your name, address, and phone number on your request, and the information/records that you are requesting.

Freedom of Information Act

4. Is there a fee for the requested information?

No fee will be assessed for the first 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal sized copies. A fee of 15 cents is charged for any additional pages, color copies, and abnormal size copies. There is a fee of $1 for information placed on a CD or DVD. There is a charge for information placed on a flash drive. Illinois Crash Reports carry a fee of $5.00.

Freedom of Information Act

5. How long do I have to wait to receive the requested information, who will notify me, and where do I go to pick up the requested information?

The Freedom of Information Act allows five business days (not including the day of receipt of the request) to respond. Responses to FOIA requests may be emailed to you upon request. Otherwise, you will be notified by the Rock Island Police Department or the Office of the City Clerk when the information is ready.  You will be instructed where and how to pick up your FOIA response.

Freedom of Information Act