About the Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute (5 ILCS140) that provides for a straightforward, easy-to-use method for the public to gain access government records. Any person who wishes to inspect and/or obtain copies of public records from the City of Dixon shall submit a FOIA request to the City Clerk’s Office unless the document in question can be obtained immediately.
To learn more about the act, visit the federal FOIA.gov website.
Submitting a FOIA Request
All requests for general City documents should be directed to the City Clerk in the City Clerk’s Office. To request public records, please fill out and submit the FOIA Request Form (PDF) to the City Clerk at:
or mail or drop off at:
121 W 2nd Street
Dixon, IL 61021
Police FOIA requests
For police FOIA requests, please contact the Records Department at the Dixon Police Department. To request records from the Police Department, please fill out and submit the FOIA Request Form (PDF) at:
or mail or drop off at:
220 S. Hennepin Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
The City will respond to all FOIA requests within 5 working days of its receipt. If additional time is needed, you will be notified of the City’s intent to respond within an additional five working days as permitted under FOIA. If any of the materials you have requested are exempt under FOIA, you will be notified in writing of the specific exemption which applies to the documents and you will be provided with all non-exempt materials.
Requesting Review of Denials
You may seek review of any denial, or partial denial, of your request by judicial review pursuant to Section 11 of the Act, or by submitting a request for review to the Public Access Counselor in the Office of the Attorney General at:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
Public Access and Opinions Bureau
500 S 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62706
877-299-3642
Any request for review to the Public Access Counselor must:
- Be in writing
- Signed by you
- Include a copy of your request and the response, or responses, you have received from the City
- Be filed not later than 60 days after the date of the denial
FOIA Officer
As of January 1, 2010, FOIA requires that all public bodies designate one or more officials or employees to act as a Freedom of Information Act Officer (FOIA Officer). These FOIA Officers (or their designees) shall receive requests for records, ensure that the public body responds to the requests in a timely fashion, and issue responses under FOIA. The FOIA Officer also shall develop a list of documents or categories of records that the public body shall immediately disclose upon request.
City of Dixon’s FOIA Officer:
FOIA FEES
There is no charge for the first 50 pages, additional pages are 15 cents per page.
Copies of CD/DVD are $3.00