Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Records Request

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Inspection of Public Records Procedures: The Freedom of Information Act 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., (FOIA) is the Illinois Statute governing the inspection of public records.  This Act provides for the inspection of public records of the Village of Mettawa.  Specific exemptions are also provided in the Act that ensures the confidentiality of certain records.

Making a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request: All requests shall be in writing. Oral requests and requests generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.When the FOIA Officer reasonably believes that a request has not been submitted by a person, the FOIA Officer may require the requester to verify orally by phone or in writing that the requester is a  person.     

Written FOIA requests may be made by mail, fax, email, or personal delivery to the Village FOIA Officer.  A Freedom of Information Request Form is available through the link below.

All requests shall be made to the Village’s FOIA Officer.

The Village’s FOIA Officer is Sandy Gallo, Village Clerk, 26225 N. Riverwoods Blvd., Box M, Mettawa, IL 60045

Email: clerk@mettawa.org

Response Time for Requests: The Village will respond to requests within 5 business days for non-commercial requests and within 21 business days for commercial requests.  Commercial Requests are requests for information to be used, in any form, for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement of sales or services.   The time to respond to non-commercial requests may be extended under FOIA for an additional 5 business days.  Time to respond may also be extended by agreement with the requestor.

Types of Responses

• Grant the request
• Deny the request
• Notice that the request is unduly burdensome
• Request additional time to respond and provide reasons for delay and date when response will be provided
• Grant in part and deny in part
• Notice that the Village does not maintain the information requested

All requests for public records should be submitted to the Village Clerk in writing and in the form required by the FOIA Rules.

Submit a FOIA request form using the PDF FOIA request form.

When requests are denied in whole or in part, the requester may appeal the decisionto the Public Access Counselor. Appeals must be made within 60 days in writing, signed by the requester, should include a copy of the FOIA request and any responses from the Village and must be addressed as follows:

 By US Mail:  Public Access Bureau Office of the Attorney General, 500 S. 2nd Street, Springfield IL 62706                       

The requester may also seek judicial review under Section 11 of the Freedom of Information Act.       By e-mail: publicaccess@atg.state.iLus 

Fees: All requests obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shall be subject to the following fees:

8 1/2″ x 11″ and 11″ x 14″ and 11″ x 17″ copies up to 50 pages: No Fee

8 1/2″ x 11″ and 11″ x 14″ and 11″ x 17″ copies over 50 pages: 10 cents per page

24″ x 36″ size copies: $3        Maps or Plats: $3.00/page     Certifications: $1.00/page

Materials that require duplication to be outsourced shall be charged based upon the cost of copying and reproduction.

Categories of Records: Following is a summary of the categories of records under our control. Many of the records are available on the Village’s website at  Mettawa.org;

• Municipal Code     
• Ordinances and Resolutions
• Minutes – Board & Commission Meetings
• Agenda – Board & Commission Meetings
• Contracts, Agreements and Leases
• Building Permits
• Inspection Reports
• Zoning & Subdivision Records
• Plats of Subdivision
• Zoning Maps
• Comprehensive Plan
• Budget
• Financial Reports
• Invoices
• Audits

Overview of Village Government:  The Village of Mettawa is a small suburban community located in Lake County, Illinois.  It has a population of approximately 533 residents. The Village is a home-rule community and operates with a Village Administrator.

Village Mission: The Village’s mission is to preserve and nurture the Village’s authentic rural and horse friendly environment, to ensure the highest quality of family life for our residents, and to provide services to support the health, safety and welfare of its residents in a fiscally responsible manner.

Village Government:  The Village Board is comprised of an elected Mayor and six Trustees.  The Board makes policy decisions to maintain and enhance the health, safety and welfare if its citizens and visitors to Mettawa.  The Zoning Board of Appeals/Plan Commission serves to present recommendations to the Village Board on Zoning and Planning issues.  The Village of Mettawa has no employees. 

Budget:  The Village’s Budget and other financial documents are available on its website at:     https://mettawa.org/government/village-financials/

Village Office Location:      700 East Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL  60048

Board Office Organization Chart          Approved Budget