The Illinois FOIA gives requesters a route that does not require a lawyer or a filing fee. If a public body denies a request, produces a partial response, or treats a request as unduly burdensome, the requester can ask the Public Access Counselor to review it.
What makes a review request effective
Specificity. A request that identifies the exact categories sought, the exact response received, and the exact gap between them gives the reviewer something to act on. A general complaint about being stonewalled does not.
What it can reach
Inadequate search, improper exemption claims, missing segregability analysis, absent exemption logs, and failure to respond within statutory deadlines.
The documented example
Two requests for review were transmitted on July 29, 2026 — one challenging a zero-row OEMC response covering one of five requested categories, one challenging a Sheriff response routed through county litigation counsel. See the five confirmed sends and the step-by-step guide.