The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state law that makes the government more transparent to the citizens of Illinois by guaranteeing access to public records in the form in which they are maintained. Generally, the Illinois FOIA provides access to government information while protecting the legitimate interests of government and the privacy rights of citizens. Due to the request volume the police department receives, as well as the sensitivity and legality issues associated with the release of information associated with police records, the City of Berwyn deemed it necessary that all requests pertaining to police records be submitted directly to the police department.
How To File a Freedom of Information Act Request with the Berwyn Police Department
- Your requests for records will only be accepted in writing. The Berwyn Police Department does not require the completion of a standard form for this purpose, but we have created a form to assist in your request.
- CLICK HERE to complete and submit the form electronically.
- DOWNLOAD HERE to print and submit in person or by mail. (Please do not download & submit this form electronically. Electronic requests can be accepted through the link above.)
Direct all requests to:
Berwyn Police Department
Attention: FOIA Request
6401 W. 31st Street
Berwyn, IL 60402
- Please be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking (i.e. exact name (s), location(s), date(s), etc.) 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.
- Tell us whether you would like paper copies of the requested records, or whether you wish to receive them electronically. Some requests you may not have a choice, but if so, you have the right to either option.
- Provide your contact information, including a mailing address, email address, phone number and or fax number (depending on the records format requested). Please be aware that based on the legal requirements of a release, additional identification may or may not be required.
| Non Voluminous OR Commercial Request |
Voluminous Request | Commercial Request | |
|---|---|---|---|
| B/W Copies (up to 50 pgs) | Free | Free | Free |
| B/W Copies (50+ pgs) | $0.15 per page | $0.15 per page | $0.15 per page |
| Color Copies | Actual Cost of Colored Copies | Actual Cost of Colored Copies | Actual Cost of Colored Copies |
| Recording Medium | Actual Cost of Medium | Actual Cost of Medium | Actual Cost of Medium |
| Personnel Costs for Search |
No Charge |
No Charge *If also a Commercial request, those charges also apply. |
Up to 8 hrs = No Charge 8+ hrs = $10/hour |
| Non-PDF Electronic Records |
No Charge |
$20 / up to 2MB $40 / 2+ MB up to 4MB $100 / 4+ MB |
No Charge *If also a voluminous request, those charges also apply. |
| PDF Electronic Records | No Charge |
$20 / up to 80MB $40 / 80+ MB up to 160MB $100 / 160+ MB |
No Charge *If also a voluminous request, those charges also apply. |
The public documents that we have on immediate disclosure upon request, 5 ILCS 140/3.5, currently includes-
- a weekly bulletin provided to the public that includes various statistics (calls for service, misdemeanor arrests, felony arrests, local ordinance citations, moving violations and use of force incidents) along with a backlog of bulletins posted on our website. Please use this link to take you to the site Crime Stats – Berwyn Police Department.
- a directory of all City of Berwyn: officials; department directors and supervisors; office locations; boards, commissions, and committees; and a list of department public documents. Please use this link to take you to the directory City of Berwyn FOIA Public Service Directory.
- annual budget, including the Police Department, provided to the public with backlog budgets prepared by the City of Berwyn’s Finance Department. Please use this link to take you the site Finance Department | Berwyn, IL.
Be aware that if your request for records pertains to another department in the City of Berwyn, we will not be able to fulfill your request and you must either go to their website for detailed instructions or go to City Hall located at 6700 W 26th Street.