Filing a Chicago Police FOIA Request Is Easier With DoNotPay

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a 1966 law that allows anyone to access the information that the government agencies hold. When you want to access police reports in Chicago, you need to file a Chicago Police FOIA request. The process of filing a FOIA request with the Chicago Police is complicated because they don’t offer you the option to fill out FOIA forms online.

If you want to file a FOIA request with Chicago Police but would like to do it online and avoid the bureaucratic hurdle, DoNotPay is the way.

How To File a Chicago Police FOIA Request by Yourself

You can only submit a Chicago Police FOIA request in writing. Before you start writing your FOIA request, you’ll need to determine which department holds the information you’re requesting.

Since every police agency—there are many—has a separate department, this might be a lot of work. Locating the agency is essential because you need to include thorough information about the records in your FOIA request. The agency isn’t obligated to do the research for you.

Other mandatory information you need to provide in your request is your:

• Full name
• Contact details
• Mailing address

After you do your research, you can start filling out the FOIA request. Follow the instructions below to submit your request:

1. Download the Chicago FOIA request form or use another template
2. Write your personal information
3. Provide a thorough description of the documents you want
4. Fill out only the Requester part of the request form (if you’re using the Chicago Police one)
5. Send your request to Chicago Police

There are four ways you can submit your FOIA request:

Keep in mind that since FOIA requests are public information, they will be posted online. The agency will reveal your name and information about the request on the City’s website. You can’t appeal to this, unfortunately.

How To Check a FOIA Request

To check FOIA status, you may call the Police Department section for Freedom of Information. The number is 312-745-5308.

Does Chicago Police Department Charge Fees?

In theory, FOIA requests are supposed to be free, but every agency has its rules about FOIA fees. Chicago Police charges for reproducing and certifying public records, but they don’t charge fees for copying. The copies of the first 50 pages of letter- or -sized copies in black and white are free.

What Are the Chicago Police FOIA Exemptions?

There are nine FOIA exemptions, and they apply to the Illinois FOIA. Requesters won’t gain information if the records could disclose:

1. Information harmful to national security
2. Data about internal personnel rules and practices of an agency
3. Information that another federal law prohibits from disclosure
4. Commercial or financial information and trade secrets that are classified or privileged
5. Communications between agencies that are privileged
6. Anything that could invade and validate an individual’s privacy
7. Data that are collected for law enforcement purposes which could risk someone’s life or physical safety, disclose the identity of a confidential source, interfere with enforcement proceedings, constitute an unwarranted invasion or violation of personal privacy, violate someone’s right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, or disclose techniques and procedures of investigations or prosecutions
8. Information that relates to supervision of financial institutions
9. Geological information on oil wells

How To File a Chicago Police FOIA Request With DoNotPay

DoNotPay enables you to file your FOIA request online. Our platform makes sure the process is swift, easy, and affordable while helping you avoid administrative difficulties. The most amazing part about DoNotPay is that we can help you file a FOIA request with both local and state agencies.

All you need to do is open our platform in any web browser and follow the instructions below to access it:

1. Open the FOIA feature and specify that you’re requesting information from a Local Agency
2. Type in the Chicago Police Department and description of the documents you seek
3. Indicate whether you qualify for a fee waiver or expedited processing
4. Submit your request

DoNotPay will create a request letter customized to the agency you’re filing the request with. We will send it on your behalf.

DoNotPay Can Help You File Other FOIA Requests

Our platform will help you file a FOIA request with any of the following agencies:

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)
• State Department

DoNotPay can also help you get your hands on military records.

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