Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Gov. agency says it'll be awhile for my specfic request - Wanted Board minutes with specfic topic or individuals. Staff busy, records "delicate". Not more that 30 yr, but not on computer.
a. Is a requestor allowed by law to examine the records themself? and, then chose the pertinent month(s) (IL)
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Are we supposed to guess from that last parenthetical that this is a question about Illinois law?
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
I suggest you carefully study the IL Freedom of Information Act to find the answer to your question.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...85&ChapterID=2
I'm guessing that there will be some serious limitations to your request for access to 30 years worth of records.
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
If you are only looking for minutes, you should also check with your local library. They often catalog minutes from local governmental agencies such as council, planning board, board of adjustment, and other agencies and commissions.
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
I'll assume we're talking about the Illinois FOIA. They are not obliged to search the records for you by subject. It's up to you to explicitly indicate what records you want.
The law does, however, require them to make them open for INSPECTION as well as copying.
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
1. I am only looking at specfic information for a 2 year block of time. Those records are not recent (like last 2 years), but were from 30 years ago.
2. My question is general Does a governmental Agengy have to honor a request for an individual to personally examine a years Council minutes in a fOIA request?
Rather than asking for the agency to go through the minutes looking up the specific persons name or organization within the minutes I could examine and have the gov. agency copy the correct minutes.
3. The FOIA officer harassed the first requester with phone calls asking him to be more specific, a letter was sent to try to clarify and he received 2 more calls asking questions that had nothing to do with the request; it is now my job, I have requested the same info & now been told that he's a now a new request - but have been assured they are not delaying and they are not denying the request.
4. Thank you -- I checked the library and they are not there.
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Flyingron: Inspection - Meaning - I am able to actually go to the agency & advise them I want to inspect (look at those 2 year block of records myself). I'll assume that information is in the statute so I can quote to them?? I know I will be challenged. Thank you.
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Quote:
I'll assume that information is in the statute
Don't just assume it, read it.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...85&ChapterID=2
Re: Must a Government Agency Provide All Minutes Requested by FOIA
Yes, I did now read and "see" the statute said "inspect" however several months ago when someone approached this same agency with a different FOIA request they were not "allowed" to look (inspect) at the records themself they had to request and list the subject/topic or individual they wanted searched within the years they wanted. It is good to know the statute is on my side to inspect or examine the records I want to see. Though I believe I will be challenged statute or no statute.