If the requested information is 400 pages, or less, the pages will be copied and mailed to the requestor at not cost. Different fees for other media (e.g., microfilm) may also be assessed. If the information requested is greater than 400 pages, there will be a charge of $0.25 per page. Fees may be waived or reduced under certain circumstances. In general, the waiver or reduction of fees will be granted when it is determined to be in the public interest to do so (2 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 1828.

Any requester may ask for a fee waiver. The eligibility of a requester for a fee waiver will vary, depending on the ability to show how the requested information relates to the operations or activities of the government and the means to convey the information to the public. For example, a news media requester may qualify for a fee waiver. In that case, the Postal Service may waive in full or in part the chargeable duplication fee. Indigence is not sufficient to qualify for a fee waiver.

FOIA allows agencies to charge requesters for FOIA services, e.g., search and review time, copy costs. The Volpe Center's fees are set by the Department of Transportation. If you are concerned about costs, ask for a cost estimate. FOIA staff will let you know roughly what your fees will be before they process your request. They will give you a chance to decide whether to proceed with the request or cancel.

Please submit your FOIA request in writing, reasonably describing the record(s) sought. You may submit a FOIA request by either:

FOIAs may be obtained by submitting a written request to the Office of General Counsel either by fax or mail. The Office of General Counsel has 10 days to respond. Documents may be viewed at the Office of General Counsel or copies made (certain exemptions may apply). For FOIA requests, there is a $10 research fee and $.25 per page copying fee. For further information, please call 202-787-2240.

While the focus of FOIA is on making government information available to the public, the statute recognizes that certain types of information should not be disclosed. Thus, the FOIA exempts nine categories from the general mandatory disclosure rule. These exemptions are: The FOIA Officer (FMC Secretary) will determine if any information you requested falls into one of the exempted categories. If so, the entire record may be withheld, or sections of it will be redacted or omitted.

The FOIA Officer is required to notify you of the reasons your request has been denied in whole or in part. The FOIA Officer will also include an explanation of the Commission’s appeal process. An appeal should be addressed to the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission. Your appeal letter may contain details of the FOIA request and the FOIA Officer’s denial or it may simply refer to the original request and state that the FOIA Officer’s decision is being appealed.

You may request records by U.S. Mail, fax, e-mail, in person, or over the phone. FOIA does not require that your request be in writing, nor do you need to specifically state that you are requesting records under FOIA. To request records from the University of Virginia, contact Carol Wood, Assistant Vice President for University Relations. She can be reached at TEL: (434) 924-1400; P.O. Box 400229, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4229; FAX: (434) 924-0938; E-MAIL: cwood@virginia.edu.

There is not an initial fee to file a FOIA request. By law, however, federal agencies are entitled to charge certain fees, which depend on the particular category of FOIA requester you fall into. Thus, you may be charged a fee for search time and document review time, as well as for copying of documents. The Commission’s fees for processing FOIA requests are published on our website at 46 CFR §503.43.

Once the Commission’s Secretary receives the request, the FMC has 20 working days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to make a determination on the request. If expedited processing is sought, you must include the reason for expedited processing in your FOIA request letter.

Yes. The law recognizes that in some instances the public interest may be better served by not disclosing information. FOIA provides a number of exemptions ranging from matters of privacy to confidential research-related information. However, all of these exemptions are optional, with one exception. The exemption protecting student records, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), is mandatory.

Effective January 1, 2000, The Illinois EPA has rules (2 Ill. Adm. Code 1828) regulating the submittal of requests for information pursuant to FOIA. These rules include definitions, procedures for requesting public records, time frame for responding to requests, procedures regarding exemption from public disclosure, appeal rights and a revised fee schedule for the duplication of public records.

FOIA requests may be submitted by any of the following methods: use of the Internet FOIA web form, Fax, US Mail or special carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc).

The Illinois EPA has sfive FOIA sectors that operate and respond to FOIA requests. You are encouraged to submit your request through the FOIA web form to ensure that your request is your request will be routed to the appropriate FOIA sector, or sectors, for processing. Any follow-up inquiries that you may have on the status of your request, on-site record review appointments, record duplication fees or copy contractor questions should be directed to the appropriate FOIA contact person.

By using the FOIA web form to submit your request; you will be prompted to include the information necessary to process your request. The online request form will conveniently guide you through completing the request and help to ensure that the request is complete and focused. By using the online form, your request will automatically be directed to the appropriate FOIA sector avoiding delays in mailing and routing paper requests.

All requests are processed in the order in which they are received. The Agency will respond within seven working days of receipt of the request. A seven-day extension is allowed with written notification to the requestor (2 Ill. Adm. Code 1828.501). If the requested records are 400 pages, or less, in length, the pages will be copied and mailed to the requestor.

Some procurement information (procurement forecasts, the winning bid, etc.) is available to the public, while specific contract records must be requested under the FOIA. Check first with the Chief, Regulations and Rulings Division.

A request for agency documents and records pursuant to the FOIA must be in writing and identified as a "Freedom of Information Act" request. The Act requires a requester to provide a reasonable description of the documents or records sought. A reasonable description is one that allows agency employees familiar with the subject matter to locate responsive records with a reasonable amount of effort.

The FOIA provides that an agency will respond in writing within 20 working days of receipt of a request. If a request is sent to the wrong facility, the time for response does not begin until the request is received by the custodian of the records. There are unusual circumstances in which the agency may extend the response period for another ten working days.

The FOIA allows fees to be charged to certain types of requesters; however, any previous fees for FOIA requests must be paid in full prior to processing current request. Waivers or reductions in fees may be given if disclosing the information is in the public interest. Public interest is defined as information which significantly enhances the public's knowledge of the operations and activities of the Army. The FOIA requires that requesters be placed into one of the below categories: Commercial.

Remember, though, that the FOIA does not require the Federal Trade Commission to answer questions, issue opinions, conduct legal research, or create records in order to respond to a request. A reasonable description of Commission records would allow a Commission employee to locate records using reasonable efforts.

The most frequently requested categories of FTC records are consumer complaints, material relating to investigations, and administrative records. Requesters frequently ask for records of complaints about the business practices of a company in order to help them decide whether to do business with that company. The FTC maintains several computer databases containing consumer complaints submitted to the FTC and other law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.

A requestor has the right to appeal any partial or total denial of access to documents. Additionally, a requestor may request that the FTC exercise its discretion to release information that is exempt from mandatory disclosure. Appeals must be in writing and include a copy of the initial request letter as well as the initial response letter.

We answer most requests within the statutory time limit of 20 working days following the receipt of a request. We may contact you during the processing to ask questions or to give you a status report on the processing. You may check the status of your request by calling (202) 326-2430.

We process requests in the order in which they are received. However, you may request expedited handling of your request if you believe there is a compelling need for a more rapid response.