Sample Letter

Name of official Title Address Via email or facsimile DATE

Dear public official: This is a request for public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Please make available for my inspection by (Time, day and date) the following public records. (list records) If for any reason you feel any information or record requested is exempt from public scrutiny, please provide that portion of this request not in dispute. For those portions you feel are exempt, please redact the information, provide a written explanation of its specific nature and the specific statutory authority under which you withholding it. As this is a request to inspect public records, Illinois law allows no fees to be charged. In the event I need copies of the public records, I understand I can be charged only for the actual cost of the copies, and not for any staff time involved. As this request is made in my capacity as a _______, the disclosure of these records is in the public interest and therefore I request a waiver of any copy fees. Please feel free to contact me at this number should you have any questions, problems or concerns regarding the scope or nature of this request. I am happy to discuss, hone or reasonably alter this request for expediency. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter,

Sincerely