The Freedom of Information Request Form is the Cook County Treasurer's Office form for asking to inspect or copy public records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It is one of the forms of the Cook County Treasurer's Office, and it asks what records you want, whether you will use them commercially and how the office can reach you. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the office publishes the original at cookcountytreasurer.com and receives requests only through its own channels.
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What is Freedom of Information Request Form – Cook County, IL?
The Freedom of Information Request Form is the Cook County Treasurer's Office form, titled "Request for Records in Accordance with the Freedom of Information Act" on the page itself, that a requester completes to ask to inspect or copy public records held by the office.
The form has two numbered questions. Item 1 asks whether you want to inspect or copy the records and gives three lines to describe them; the form says to be specific. Item 2 asks whether the material will be used for commercial purposes. The form defines commercial use as using any part of a public record, or information derived from one, in any form, for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services. It also warns that knowingly obtaining a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that purpose is a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.
Below that, a requestor contact block collects name, company name (if applicable), address, city/state/zip, email address, telephone number with area code, fax number and signature. The lower part of the page holds boxes for the office's own use and an acknowledgement of receipt that the requester completes only when picking up documents.
The office's website describes submitting the request online as its preferred method; this PDF is for requests made by email, mail, fax or hand delivery.
Who needs to file Freedom of Information Request Form – Cook County, IL?
Anyone who wants to inspect or copy public records of the Cook County Treasurer's Office and prefers a written request on paper or by email can use this form. The form does not limit requesters by residence or status.
- Individuals complete the name and contact lines and sign.
- Businesses and organizations also enter the company name on the line marked "if applicable."
- Commercial requesters must answer Yes to the commercial-purposes question. The form states that knowingly obtaining a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing it violates the Freedom of Information Act. Commercial requests follow a longer response timeline than non-commercial ones.
The office's page names an online FOIA request as the preferred method; this PDF is for people who would rather send the request by email, mail, fax or delivery. The form has no line for a representative or agent, only the requester's own signature, and the sections marked "For Office Use Only" and "Complete at pick-up only" are not part of the request itself.
When to file Freedom of Information Request Form – Cook County, IL
Submit the form whenever you want to inspect or copy records; no filing deadline is printed on it. What it does set is how quickly the office responds after it receives your request.
- Non-commercial requests: a response within 5 business days after receipt. The office may extend that by an additional 5 business days and, if it does, sends a written response stating the reason.
- Commercial requests: a response within 21 business days after receipt, with an estimated completion date and a fee estimate. Unless the records are exempt, the request is completed within a reasonable time based on its size and complexity.
Priority is given to records requested for non-commercial purposes. If the request is denied, you receive a written response stating the reason. Receipt of fee payment is required before copying of requested records begins.
How to fill out Freedom of Information Request Form – Cook County, IL
Choose inspect or copy
In item 1, mark Inspect if you want to view the records or Copy if you want copies of the public records.
Describe the records requested
On the lines under item 1, write what records you want. The form says "Please be specific."
Answer the commercial-use question
In item 2, mark Yes or No to whether the material will be used for commercial purposes. Mark Yes if any part of it will be used for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services.
Enter your name and company
In the Requestor Contact Information block, enter your NAME and, only if it applies, your COMPANY NAME.
Enter your mailing address
Enter your ADDRESS and your CITY/STATE/ZIP on the next line.
Add email, phone and fax
Enter your EMAIL ADDRESS, your TELEPHONE NUMBER (with area code) and, if you have one, your FAX NUMBER.
Sign the request
Sign on the line next to the X above SIGNATURE.
Skip the office and pick-up sections
Leave the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY boxes blank. The requester acknowledgement of receipt is completed at pick-up only.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that item 1, item 2, your contact details and your signature are complete, then download or print the PDF from FillingPDF and send it through one of the channels under How to submit.
How to submit Freedom of Information Request Form – Cook County, IL
The Cook County Treasurer's Office accepts the request online, by email, by mail, by fax or by hand delivery.
- Online: the office's page calls submitting a FOIA request online its preferred method. Start from the Treasurer's Freedom of Information Request page.
- Email: send the completed form to [email protected], the address printed on the form.
- Mail or delivery: Cook County Treasurer's Office, Attention: Legal Department Geralyn Wenkel - FOIA Officer, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602.
- Fax: 312.603.6967.
A fee applies to copies beyond the number of pages the form states are free, and the office requires receipt of fee payment before it begins copying. The per-page rate is printed in the "For Office Use Only" area of the form. The form lists the office telephone as (312) 443-5100 on the agency page. Leave the "For Office Use Only" boxes blank, and sign the receipt acknowledgement only when you pick up documents. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing the records too broadly. The form asks you to be specific on the lines under item 1.
- Leaving both Inspect and Copy unmarked in item 1, so the office cannot tell what you want to do with the records.
- Answering No to the commercial-purposes question when the records will be used for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services; the form says undisclosed commercial use is a violation of the Act.
- Submitting the form without a signature on the line marked with an X above SIGNATURE.
- Writing in the sections marked For Office Use Only or signing the acknowledgement of receipt before you pick up documents; that part is completed at pick-up only.
- Expecting copies to start before paying: the form says receipt of fee payment is required before copying of requested records is initiated.
- Omitting an email address or telephone number, which the office needs to send its written response or reach you about an extension.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cook County Treasurer's FOIA request form?
It is the Cook County Treasurer's Office form for asking to inspect or copy public records under the Freedom of Information Act. You say what records you want, whether you will use them commercially, and how to contact you, then sign it.
Where do I send the Cook County Treasurer FOIA request?
Email it to [email protected], fax it to 312.603.6967, or mail or deliver it to the Cook County Treasurer's Office, Attention: Legal Department Geralyn Wenkel - FOIA Officer, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602. The office prefers online requests.
How long does the Treasurer's Office take to answer a FOIA request?
For non-commercial requests, a response within 5 business days after receipt, which the office may extend by 5 more business days with a written reason. For commercial requests, a response within 21 business days with an estimated completion date and a fee estimate.
What counts as commercial use on the FOIA request form?
The form defines it as using any part of a public record, or information derived from one, in any form, for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services. Knowingly obtaining a record for that use without disclosing it violates the Act.
Is there a fee for a Cook County Treasurer FOIA request?
A fee applies to copies beyond the number of pages the form lists as free, and the office needs fee payment before it starts copying. The per-page rate is printed in the office-use area of the form; call (312) 443-5100 if you need to confirm it.
What happens if my FOIA request is denied?
You receive a written response from the Cook County Treasurer's Office stating the reason for the denial. The form describes no other step, so use the contact details on the form to ask the FOIA officer about it.
Can I fill out the Cook County Treasurer FOIA form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Cook County and does not send the request; you submit it to the Treasurer's Office by email, mail, fax or delivery, or use the office's online request.
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