This site is a research reference, not legal advice. See the FAQ disclaimer for details.

Been denied? Request for Review builder

If a public body denied your FOIA request — in whole, in part, through an improper fee, an improper extension, or by simply not responding — or if you believe it broke the Open Meetings Act at a meeting, you can ask the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC) to review it. This tool walks through what happened and generates a Request for Review letter entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server or stored anywhere except your own device (if you choose to save your contact info).

Before filling out the form, use thedenial guide for a written refusal or partial release, or theno-response guide if the public body has not answered.

Not legal advice. This generates a standard-form Request for Review based on common practice — it doesn't account for every situation. See the FAQ disclaimer.

One exception to know about: if your original request was designated acommercial-purpose request, 5 ILCS 140/9.5(b) says you generally may not file a full Request for Review — only a review of whether that commercial-purpose designation itself was proper. If your request was treated as voluminous under 5 ILCS 140/3.6, you may file a Request for Review limited to whether that designation was proper (5 ILCS 140/9.5(b-5)).

What are you asking the PAC to review?

A denied or ignored records request (Freedom of Information Act).A meeting I believe violated the Open Meetings Act (for example, an improper closed session or missing notice).

What happened?

The public body fully denied my request.The public body provided some records but withheld or redacted others.The public body charged a fee I believe is improper or excessive.The public body invoked an extension I believe was improper.The public body never responded (deemed denial).

The public body

Public body name *

The request & denial

Records you requested — brief description *

Request or tracking number (if the public body gave one)

Date the request was sent *

Date of the denial *

The public body's stated reason (optional — paste it if you have it)

Exemption the public body cited (optional)

Attachments checklist

5 ILCS 140/9.5(a): the request for review must be in writing, signed by the requester, and include a copy of the request for access to records and any responses from the public body. Checked items are listed under Enclosures in the letter. Attach the files themselves when you send it.

A copy of my original request for records The public body's response(s), including any denial letter Any fee estimate or extension notice Proof of when the request was sent (email, delivery receipt, or portal confirmation) Other correspondence with the public body about this request

Your contact info

Your name *

Your email *

Mailing address (optional)

Phone (optional)

Remember my contact info on this device (stored only in your browser, never sent anywhere)

Generated letter

Sign it, then mail or email it to the Public Access Counselor. Confirm the address in the letter is still current —illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/open-and-honest-government/pac— before sending.

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