Illinois Freedom of Information Act
As a state institution, Governors State University is subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act which provides public access to government documents and records. The Illinois Attorney General’s office website provides details about FOIA. Under provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, some records, or certain portions of them, may be exempt from inspection and copying. In addition, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act the university is prohibited from releasing some records. Some public records are published and may be available for purchase, or may be available under library lending procedures.
Document Categories List
Freedom of Information Act PDF
FOIA Request
How to file a FOIA request:
• Phone requests are not accepted.
• Submit a request by email to: foia@govst.edu
• Mail or deliver in person a request to:
FOIA Officer Governors State University, G364
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975
A request filed with university FOIA Officer should include:
• the requestor's name
• complete contact information (name, address, email address that can be used for communication
and responsive documents, phone number)
• a clear description of the document(s) being sought
• a statement that you are requesting records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act
• whether you are a commercial requestor
• if you are requesting records without charge or at a reduced charge
Under 6(b) of the Act, except when a fee is otherwise fixed by statute,
the university may charge fees reasonably calculated to reimburse its actual cost of reproduction.
The first 50 standard sized, black and white pages of a FOIA response are free, and any additional pages are 15 cents a page. For color copies or unusually sized copies, the university charges the actual cost of copying.
For documents provided on CD or other recorded medium, the university charges for the cost of the media used.
Documents shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge, as determined by the public body, if the person requesting the documents states the specific purpose for the request and indicates that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. Waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest if the principal purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information regarding the health, safety, and welfare or the legal rights of the general public and is not for the principal purpose of personal or commercial benefit.