FOIA Request

The Freedom of Information Act is a state law that provides citizens access to public records. Each City department is a separate agency responsible for maintaining its own records. Please submit requests to the department that maintains the records you want.

FOIA Request Procedures

If you are seeking information about the Chicago Public Library or the services we offer, your request must be in writing.

All Freedom of Information requests submitted to City of Chicago departments must include the following information:

  • The name, mailing address and contact information of the requester.
  • A description of the records that are being requested.

Please allow five business days for us to respond to a non-commercial request; we will respond to commercial requests within 21 business days. You must state in your request that it is a commercial request.

For Chicago Public Library FOIA requests, please submit a written request using one of the following methods: 

Online Portal: GovQA 

Email:  CPLfoia@chipublib.org 

Mail:  Attn: Public Information Officer, 400 South State St , Chicago, IL 60605 

Or by filling out the form below.  

Submit a FOIA Request

Please be specific about the information you are seeking and indicate the exact locations and dates. Indicate in your request how you would like the information sent to you (via email, mail, or available to pick up at our office). 

Due to our request volume, the most efficient way for us to respond to questions is via email:
CPLfoia@chipublib.org. 

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Recognizing that transparency and open government are critical in fostering integrity in City government, the Chicago Public Library is committed to providing prompt and professional service to everyone who requests records it maintains. 

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) is a public institution providing free access to information, resources, and programs that support literacy, learning, and community engagement. Chicago Public Library serves all Chicagoans with locations citywide: Harold Washington Library Center, three regional libraries and more than 77 neighborhood branches. Find a complete list of all Chicago Public Library locations.  

Chicago Public Library is governed by a Board of Directors. Find a complete list of Chicago Public Library board members.  

The Chicago Public Library has approximately 1,392 employees, including around 328 part-time staff members. View a diagram of Chicago Public Library's divisions: Department Summary Chart

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), the Chicago Public Library maintains the following categories of records: 

  • Emails and correspondence of Chicago Public Library Staff 
  • Incident Reports 
  • Employee Listings 
  • Limited Employment Documents 
  • Financial Statements 

FOIA Officers for the Chicago Public Library: 

Patrick Molloy, Director of Public Affairs 

Sadie Walton, Staff Assistant 

 

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