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:

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

The Department of Law maintains the following categories of records:

Submit a FOIA request online

• Department personnel files, reports and payroll records
• Budget requests and City Council budget hearing documentation
• Outside counsel, expert witness and court reporter invoices
• Departmental marketing materials including press releases and brochures
• Monthly and quarterly tort and non-tort judgment summaries
• City Council meeting summaries
• Each division in the Law Department also maintains files regarding the individual cases and other legal matters handled by that division.

Please note: records listed on this page may not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. 

For Law FOIA requests, write to:

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. 

Please be specific about the information you are seeking, and indicate the exact locations and dates.  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).

Due to our request volume, the most efficient way for us to respond to questions is via email: LAWfoia@cityofchicago.org

For non-Law Department requests:

To submit a Freedom of Information request to a City Department, please visit their webpage for contact information. Requests can be mailed, fax or dropped off in person.

Please note: Requests can be submitted using the FOIA request form.  However, certain departments may have their own forms for FOIA requests.

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