What is the Freedom of Information Act?
Citizens have a right to access public records of their governmental public bodies, including school districts. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives members of the public the right to file a request with a public body to inspect or receive copies of specific public records. FOIA aims to help ensure open, honest government.
Every public body must designate at least one person to act as the FOIA Officer. In addition, every public body must prominently display at its office and make available certain information, including the name(s) of its FOIA Officer(s). The office also must display and make available: information on how to submit a FOIA; and a brief description of the office, including its purpose, budget and number of employees.
To allow governmental bodies to operate efficiently and to protect personal privacy, the Act exempts (excludes) specific types of records from public release, with some general examples being medical records, student records, attorney-client privileged correspondence, staff discipline files, test questions and answers, security plans, and the minutes of closed session meetings not yet approved by Board vote for release. FOIA further does not require the public body to create documentation in response to a request. The public body is only required to supply existing records.
Description of CUSD 428
The District is organized and operates as a unit district serving the needs of children and others, as required by the Illinois School Code.
Located approximately 60 miles west of Chicago, the District provides educational opportunities to approximately 6,800 preschool through 12th grade students in 12 schools and has approximately 1,000 employees. Our District encompasses portions of the Town of Cortland, the City of DeKalb, the Village of Malta, as well as parts or all of numerous adjacent rural townships.
Our District's primary mission is to provide an equitable and inclusive education that supports students holistically, providing the tools they need to thrive by partnering with families and supporting staff to meet the needs of each of our students.
The District is governed by a Board of Education consisting of 7 members. The Board of Education’s Policy as it relates to the District’s governance can be found at 2:10 School District Governance. Official action by the Board of Education may only occur at a duly called and legally conducted meeting except as otherwise provided by in the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120).
DeKalb CUSD 428 FOIA Officer(s):
Shawna Krenz, Paralegal
Jackie Pringle, Assistant to the Superintendent
How to file a FOIA request with DeKalb CUSD 428
- By email to [email protected]
- Via fax 815-758-6933 or
- By dropping off or mailing a written request, during regular business hours Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to:
FOIA Officer for DeKalb CUSD 428
901 S. Fourth Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
The District’s FOIA Request Form is included here.
If an inquiry is merely a question and not a request to see a specific record/document, you will be best served by calling the District’s Education Center and asking to speak with the appropriate personnel on that topic. The number for the Education Center is 815-754-2350.
You do not need to file a FOIA unless you want to access a specific record/document.
The Board of Education’s Policy, as it relates to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, can be found at 2:250 Access to District Public Records.