Public Records - FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the public has a right to know what the government is doing. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure (for example: records containing information concerning trade secrets or personal privacy).

Public bodies are subject to FOIA. The judiciary is not subject to FOIA, but court records and proceedings generally are open to the public.

Any person, group, association, corporation, firm, partnership or organization has the right to file a FOIA request to any state or local public body, including any city, township or county office.

Every public body must designate at least one person to act as the FOIA officer. Public bodies may have more than one FOIA officer. In addition, every public body must prominently display at its office and make available certain information, including the name(s) of its FOIA officer(s). The office also must display and make available: information on how to submit a FOIA; and a brief description of the office, including its purpose, budget and number of employees.

Submit a FOIA Request

Any request for public records may be addressed to:

Michael Vaughn, Freedom of Information Officer
Community Unit School District 303
201 South Seventh Street
St. Charles, Illinois 60174

Office Hours*: Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

*Please Note: The District 303 Administration Center will be closed from Dec. 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025, and FOIA-response timelines will be adjusted accordingly.

Requests may be submitted in writing by mail, personal delivery, fax, e-mail or other means available. The request should specify the records desired and include the name and address of the person requesting the information. 

Records may be inspected in person during regular office hours at the location specified above. A charge of $.10 per page for legal or letter-sized copies is imposed starting with the 51st printed page.

A response from the District to a request for inspection or copying of records will be provided within five business days after receipt of the request. 

Day one of the five-day timeline is the first business day after the request is received by the public body. The date the request was received does not count as "Day 1." That time period may be extended for an additional five business days from the date of the original due date if:

• the requested information is stored at a different location;
  
• the request requires the collection of a substantial number of documents;
  
• the request requires an extensive search;
  
• the requested records have not been located and require additional effort to find;
  
• the requested records need to be reviewed by staff who can determine whether they are exempt from FOIA;
  
• the requested records cannot be produced without unduly burdening the public body or interfering with its operations; or
  
• the request requires the public body to consult with another public body that has substantial interest in the subject matter of the request. 
  

Please be advised the response timeline is 21 days for commercial requests. District 303 asks that any request for a commercial purpose be disclosed. It is a violation of FOIA for a person to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose, if requested to do so by the public body.

GENERAL

• Board Meeting Schedules
  
• Board Minutes
  
• Board Policies
  
• Legal Notices
  
• Official Bonds
  
• Contracts over $25,000
  
• School Report Cards
  

FINANCIAL

• Annual Budgets
  
• Tax Levies
  
• Audit Reports
  
• Bills or Invoices Issued and Received by the District
  
• Receipts for revenue