{
 "topic": "FOIA section 3.3",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 140/3.3",
 "family": "Other FOIA provisions",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/foia-3-3/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 0,
  "no_violation": 4,
  "no_determination": 0,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": null,
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Whether District was required to identify or itemize previously provided records",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "FOIA does not require a public body to interpret or advise requesters as to the meaning or significance of public records.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "A school district's insurance policies and related records",
    "date": "2026-04-02",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91277/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Request sought answers to questions, not public records",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "FOIA does not require a public body to answer questions, create new records, or interpret the meaning of records.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Definitions of abbreviations and memo entries in a document",
    "date": "2023-12-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79254/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, 2014 IL App (4th) 130427",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20130427/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kenyon v. Garrels, 184 Ill. App. 3d 28 (4th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-129427/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Request asked questions rather than identifying public records",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "FOIA does not require public bodies to answer questions or interpret records; a request must reasonably identify a public record.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police misconduct reports in a cold case investigation",
    "date": "2022-03-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-70082/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Chicago Tribune Co. v. Dep't of Financial & Professional Regulation, 2014 IL App (4th) 130427",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/2014%20IL%20App%20(4th)%20130427/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Kenyon v. Garrels, 184 Ill. App. 3d 28 (4th Dist. 1989)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-129427/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Whether FOIA requires District to interpret the March 3, 2014 letter or answer questions",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "FOIA does not require a public body to interpret or advise requesters as to the meaning or significance of public records.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Investigation reports and complaints referenced in a prior communication",
    "date": "2017-02-08",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-37368/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  }
 ]
}