FOIA section 8.5(a)
FOIA5 ILCS 140/8.5(a). Section 8.5 overview: A public body doesn't have to make you a fresh copy of a record that's already posted on its website -- it just has to point you to the URL. If you genuinely can't access it online, you can ask again and the normal Section 3 process kicks in.
3 issues across 2 determination letters:1 violation found · 2 no violation.
Counts are per issue, not per letter, and come from automated extraction checked against sampled letters. Determination letters are not binding precedent.
Drafting brief for an AI assistant
Copy this into your assistant to help draft a request, appeal, or challenge to a denial that turns on this issue. It carries the rules and decisions, not your facts: add those yourself. Machine-readable version: foia-8-5-a.json.
Violation found (1)
City's failure to properly direct requester to website
Rule: Section 8.5(a) requires a public body to notify the requester that the record is available online and direct the requester to the website where the record can be reasonably accessed.
Violation found A city's income sources and amounts for three years · January 17, 2025
No violation (2)
City's response directing requester to website
Rule: A public body need not email records posted online if it notifies the requester and directs them to the website where the records can be reasonably accessed.
No violation A city's income sources and amounts for three years · January 17, 2025
Online posting under section 8.5(a)
Rule: A public body may direct a requester to a website link to a video hosting service like YouTube to satisfy the online availability requirement.
No violation Audio and video recordings of a special board meeting · December 23, 2021