The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state law that provides citizens with access to public records.  Each City department is a separate agency responsible for maintaining its own records, so requests should be submitted to the department that maintains the records you want.

All Freedom of Information requests submitted to City of Chicago departments must include the following information:

• The name, mailing address and contact information of the requester;
• A description of the records that are being requested. 

Submit a FOIA request online

If you are seeking records about CDOT or its projects or programs, your request must be in writing.  Please be specific about the information you are seeking, and indicate exact locations and dates whenever possible.  

We maintain the following records you can request under the Freedom of Information Act:

• Public Way Right-of-Way Permits and related records (including Special Events, Driveway, Public Way Opening, Dumpster, and Outdoor Dining);
• Records related to streets, bridges, viaducts, sidewalks, and alleyways (Service requests, repairs, resurfacing, and other construction projects);
• Records related to street markings, signs, lights, and traffic signals (Service requests, repairs, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, and construction projects);
• Records related to bike infrastructure and shared bikes and scooters;
• Camera footage from Chicago’s speed cameras and red light cameras (24-hour streaming video from red-light cameras is available for review for 30 days. Video of red-light violations are available for review for a period of two years.);
• Records related to the Aldermanic Menu Program, including aldermanic selections and cost estimates;
• to CDOT’s transportation programs, initiatives, and planning;
• Additional data are available in the City’s Data Portal, including information about traffic crashes, speed and red light camera locations and violations. https://data.cityofchicago.org/

   

Red Light Camera Video Requests

24-hour streaming video from red-light cameras is available for review for 30 days.  Video of red-light violations are available for review for a period of two years. 

Submit a Department of Transportation FOIA request:
FOIA requests cannot be made verbally and must be submitted in writing. Submitting FOIA requests online will ensure that staff receive them in a timely manner.

FOIAs may also be submitted by:

Please note that all FOIA requests are posted online.  FOIA requests are public information, and when you submit a FOIA request, your name and information about the request will be made available on the City's website.

Click here for the the City's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program & Initiative Page