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

Please be specific about the information you are seeking and indicate the exact locations and dates whenever possible. Please indicate in your request how you would like the information sent to you (via email, mail, or available to pick up at our office).

Submit a Department of Environment 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:

Email: environmentFOIA@cityofchicago.org

Mail: 2 N LaSalle St., Suite 970
Chicago, IL 60602

Please note that all FOIA requests are posted online. 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 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program & Initiative Page