Freedom of Information Act
Downers Grove Park District is a local government providing parks and recreation programs to District residents.
The Mission of Downers Park District is to provide a wide variety of year-round recreation programs, facilities and park areas which respond to the articulated needs and desires of all the residents of the Downers Grove Park District.
The Total Budgeted Expenditures, for all funds of the District, for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2011 is $21,623,618.
The District employs over 500 full and part-time employees.
The Park Board of Commissioners consists of five members: Robert J. Gelwicks, President; Fred Gusel, Vice-President; Catherine C. Mahoney, Treasurer; Janet Barr, Secretary; and Matt Cushing, Commissioner.
Requests for documents, in accordance with the State of Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5ILCS 140), must be submitted in writing and directed to the Freedom of Information Officer at the following address: “Freedom of Information Officer, 2455 Warrenville Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515 – Attn: FOIA Officer (Deborah Bender) – FOIA Request”.
Email requests can be sent to dutecht@dgparks.org
The District may require a fee for producing copies of requested documents at a rate of 15 cents, per page copied, (after the first 50 pages regular size and black & white), in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5ILCS 140/6). (Odd size documents and color copies will be charged accordingly.)
What is a FOIA?
FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, under the Illinois Freedom of Information at
(5 ILCS 140/1 et. Seq.) Records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request.
The following are links to many documents available on the District website which you may download at this time (no FOIA request required):
Board Meeting Agendas/Minutes
Minutes of Open Meetings/Meeting Notices
Board Policies
Mission Statement
Financial Information and Budget Reports
Capital Projects
Bids, Contracts and Legal Notices
Publications, Podcasts and Webcasts
District Policies
How can I submit a FOIA request?
The Downers Grove Park District has a form that may be completed. Click here to access this form. Requests should state the information being sought under the Freedom of Information Act. Provide a brief description of the public records requested, being as specific as possible. While responses can be provided via email, please provide a mailing address and phone number.
Submit a FOIA request in writing either by mail or email.
Mailed
Freedom of Information Officer (Deborah Bender)
Downers Grove Park District
2455 Warrenville Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
ATTN: FOIA Request
What happens after I submit a request?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires agencies to respond in five business days after receipt of a request. A five –day extension is allowed with written notification to the requester.
If the requested records are 50 pages, or less in length, the pages will be copied (regular size and black & white and the requester will be called regarding when the documents are ready to be picked up. (If the documents are mailed, the postage will need to be reimbursed before the documents would be mailed to requester.) If the records exceed 50 pages, the requester will be informed of the duplication cost before copied.
What are the costs for duplication?
| Paper copy from paper or electronic source (50 pages or less) (Regular size / black & white) (Color copies and odd size documents will be charged accordingly.) |
No Charge |
| Paper copy from paper or electronic source (51 pages or more) (Color copies and odd size documents will be charged accordingly.) |
$.15 per page |
| Copy of audio or video material | Cost of media |
