Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Village of Sherman is committed to Open and Honest Government and in so doing will comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). 

The Village of Sherman President and Board of Trustees has appointed a Freedom of Information Officer (FOIA) to serve in this role to respond to requests for public documents obtained by the Village of Sherman and has outlined the process for request and response in accordance with FOIA.

How to File a Freedom of Information Act Request
The following are instructions on how to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Village of Sherman:

  • Please make your request for records in writing. Although it is not required, the Village of Sherman has developed a form for this purposes for your convenience.  You may submit your written request by mail, fax, e-mail or by visiting (during normal business hours) the Village Administrative Office at the address below. Please direct all written request to:

Michael Stratton, FOIA OFFICER
Village of Sherman Administrative Offices
401 St. John’s Drive Sherman, IL  62684
Fax: (217) 496-3420
E-mail:  mstratton@shermanil.org

  • If you choose not to use the voluntary form by the Village or your request is by email, please be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking. Remember, the Freedom of Information Act is designed to allow you to inspect or receive copies of records. It is not designed to require a public body to answer questions.
  • In addition, please provide the following information in your request for public records:
    • Name, address, telephone number, and email address if possible;
    • A description of the records sought, being as specific as possible; and 
    • If the request is for inspection of records, copies of records, or both.
    • Also note whether your request is for commercial purposes. Special rules apply to commercial requests per the Freedom of Information Act.
    • Please tell us whether you would like copies of the requested records, or whether you wish to examine the records in person. You have the right to either option.
      • There is no fee for up to 50 pages of standard paper copies. For pages beyond 50, there is a .15-cent-per-page charge. 
    • Please include your name, preferred telephone number(s), mailing address, and, if you wish, your electronic mail address.

Village Response to FOIA Request
The Village will respond to a FOIA request within 5 business days after the receipt of the request. Day 1 of the 5-day timeline is the first business day after the request is received by the public body. The date that the request was received by the Village does not count as “Day 1”. That time period may be extended for an additional 5 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 who has substantial interest in the subject matter of the request

If additional time is needed, the Village will notify the requestor in writing within 5 business days after the receipt of the request of the statutory reasons for the extension and when the requested information will be produced but a response will be made to requester no later than an additional 5 business days.

Request for Review of Request not responded to or a Denied Request
If the Village does not respond to your request within 5 business days after receiving it, then their inaction is considered a denial of your request. If that occurs or if your request is denied for other reasons, you can the right to either file a Request for Review with the Attorney General’s PAC or file a case in civil court. If you choose to file a Request for Review, the request must be sent to:

      Office of the Attorney General
      Public Access Bureau
      500 S. 2nd Street
      Springfield, IL 62706
      Phone: 217-558-0486
      Email: publicaccess@atg.state.il.us

If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within 60 calendar days of the date of the denial.  Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and the denial letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.