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Springfield Park District FOIA Requests

How can I make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?

Any person requesting records from the Springfield Park District under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) must submit a written request. Requests may be sent by mail, email, or delivered in person to the Administration Office at 2500 S. 11th Street, Springfield, IL 62703. FOIA requests should be directed to FOIA Officer Doug Bates, Director of Finance & IT, at jbates@springfieldparks.org. Please ensure your request is clear and specific to help us locate the information efficiently.

Use of the Springfield Park District’s SPD FOIA Request Form will assist the district in responding to requests, but it is not required. Use of the term “FOIA” in the written request will also assist the district in responding to requests.

The Springfield Park District is committed to transparency and accountability and will disclose public records as required by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This includes, but is not limited to, financial records, public meeting documents, planning materials, and employee details. These disclosures help maintain public trust by allowing community members to access information about the Park District’s operations, budgeting, and staffing.

FOIA provides the public with the right to request access to records held by government agencies. However, while the District strives to fulfill all lawful and reasonable requests, there are specific situations in which certain records may be exempt from disclosure under the Act. These exemptions are in place to protect sensitive information that, if released, could result in harm or violate privacy rights.

Some examples of exempt records include documents that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy—such as personal employee details—or materials that could compromise public safety and security. Other exempt items may include proprietary information, attorney-client privileged communication, or draft documents not yet finalized.

All FOIA requests submitted to the Springfield Park District must be in writing and clearly specify the records being requested. Requests can be submitted via mail, email, or hand-delivered to the District’s Administration Office. The District aims to respond promptly and within the timeframes established by FOIA regulations.

By providing open access to most records while respecting the legal exemptions set by law, the Springfield Park District continues to uphold its commitment to responsible governance, community engagement, and ethical public service. For more information about submitting a FOIA request or to view public records already available, please visit our FOIA Requests and Public Records page or contact our FOIA Officer directly.

FOIA Request Form

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