FOIA Requests

Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The purpose of Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) is to ensure that its citizens have access to information based on the assumption that ALL public records are open to inspection and copying. Below are the guidelines to follow when requesting that the Thomas Ford Memorial Library staff provide records under the Act.

Making a FOIA Request:

Request Information

Requests for public records shall be in writing and addressed to the Library’s Freedom of Information Officer. Applicants shall provide the following information:

The requestor’s full name, address and telephone number.

  • A brief description of the public records sought, being as specific as possible.
  • A statement as to whether the request is for inspection of public records, copies of public records, or both.
  • A statement as to whether the records need to be certified.

Submitting Requests

Requests for public records shall be submitted to:

Ted Bodewes
Freedom of Information Officer
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
800 Chestnut Street
Western Springs, Illinois 60558
bodewes@fordlibrary.org

*Alternate FOIA contact: Kathleen Lewandowski, kathleen@fordlibrary.org

Request Responses

Requests for public documents are fulfilled under the guidelines of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Requestors will be contacted within the time allotted by law with a response to their requests. At that time requestors will be notified of any fees associated with their requests.

In addition, some information is already available on the Library’s website, including:

More Information

"Public records" means all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared, or having been or being used, received, possessed or under the control of any public body.  Records that are not subject to release via the FOIA process include confidential and trade secret information.

The Library maintains financial, policy, personnel and procedural documentation on site or electronically. Additional financial information is kept by the Village of Western Springs, which operates as the Corporate Authority for the Library.

The Library will provide printed copies of electronic records, on request, pursuant to the guidelines of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Thomas Ford Memorial Library is the public library of Western Springs, Illinois. TFML is a nonprofit library established for the use of the general public and maintained chiefly by public funds.

Our current Total Operating Budget is $1,933,825.

Operating Fund: $1,458,124

Building Fund: $166,071

IMRF Fund: $61,200

Bond Repayment Fund: $248,430

800 Chestnut Street

Western Springs, IL 60558

Full Time: 9

Part Time: 21