Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Access to Cooperative’s Public Records
The La Grange Area Department of Special Education (LADSE) is a cooperative located in La Grange Illinois serving 15 member school districts in west Cook and east DuPage Counties. LADSE is accountable to the U.S. Department of Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, and the taxpayers of Lyons Township. Governed by the LADSE Directing Board, made up of the 15 superintendents of its 15 member districts. The cooperative’s 2019-20 operating budget is $25,245,377 and currently employs approximately 300 full- and part-time employees.
FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act 5 ILCS 140/1 et. seq, records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request. The following are links to public documents immediately available on the LADSE website and do not require a FOIA request:
The La Grange Area Department of Special Education (LADSE) is a cooperative located in La Grange Illinois serving 15 member school districts in west Cook and east DuPage Counties. LADSE is accountable to the U.S. Department of Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, and the taxpayers of Lyons Township. Governed by the LADSE Directing Board, made up of the 15 superintendents of its 15 member districts. The cooperative’s 2019-20 operating budget is $25,245,377 and currently employs approximately 300 full- and part-time employees.
FOIA is the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act 5 ILCS 140/1 et. seq, records in possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon written request. The following are links to public documents immediately available on the LADSE website and do not require a FOIA request:
How Can I Submit a FOIA Request:
Requests should state that information is being sought under the Freedom of Information Act. Provide a description of the public records requested, being as specific as possible. While responses may be provided via e-mail, you must provide a mailing address. Individuals making a request are to identify when the request is for a commercial purpose or when requesting a fee waiver.
It is the policy of LADSE’s Directing Board to make its public records available for inspection during normal business hours Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Records may be inspected and copied at LADSE’s Administration Center. All requests for records should be submitted in writing and addressed to FOIA Officer Elisa Evitts using one of the following methods:
E-mail: FOIArequest@ladse.org
Fax Request: 708.354.0733
Phone: 708.354.5730
Letter: Mail request to LADSE, 1301 W. Cossitt, La Grange, IL 60525
In person: LADSE, 1301 W. Cossitt, La Grange, IL 60525
Click on link to access FOIA Request Form
After Request is Submitted:
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires agencies to respond within five working days of receipt of a request. A five-day extension is allowed with written notification to the requester.
Duplication Costs:
Paper copy - 50 pages or less, letter or legal sized no charge
Paper copy - 51 pages or more, letter or legal sized $ 0.15 per page
Color copies - including the first 50 cost of reproduction
Copies on paper sizes other than letter and legal sized cost of reproduction
Copy of audio of video material cost of media
Postage cost of mailing
An invoice will be issued and payment is to be made payable to LADSE at time or delivery of documents. For questions related to FOIA requests, please call 708.354.5730 to speak to the FOIA Officer.
Above fees are based on the actual cost for reproducing records and does not include the cost of any search for, review of records, or personnel costs associated with finding or reproducing records. Documents shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where LADSE determines that a waiver or reduction is in the public interest. When an individual requests to inspect documents they will be notified of the time at which they will be available to be viewed. Such documents shall be held at LADSE for a period of 3 business days after the schedule viewing date. If the requestor is unable to review the documents within this time period, he/she must call the FOIA officer to arrange an alternate date for review. If the requester does not come to LADSE during the four-day time period or fails to request an extension of time a new FOIA request must be initiated.
Requests should state that information is being sought under the Freedom of Information Act. Provide a description of the public records requested, being as specific as possible. While responses may be provided via e-mail, you must provide a mailing address. Individuals making a request are to identify when the request is for a commercial purpose or when requesting a fee waiver.
It is the policy of LADSE’s Directing Board to make its public records available for inspection during normal business hours Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Records may be inspected and copied at LADSE’s Administration Center. All requests for records should be submitted in writing and addressed to FOIA Officer Elisa Evitts using one of the following methods:
E-mail: FOIArequest@ladse.org
Fax Request: 708.354.0733
Phone: 708.354.5730
Letter: Mail request to LADSE, 1301 W. Cossitt, La Grange, IL 60525
In person: LADSE, 1301 W. Cossitt, La Grange, IL 60525
Click on link to access FOIA Request Form
After Request is Submitted:
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires agencies to respond within five working days of receipt of a request. A five-day extension is allowed with written notification to the requester.
Duplication Costs:
Paper copy - 50 pages or less, letter or legal sized no charge
Paper copy - 51 pages or more, letter or legal sized $ 0.15 per page
Color copies - including the first 50 cost of reproduction
Copies on paper sizes other than letter and legal sized cost of reproduction
Copy of audio of video material cost of media
Postage cost of mailing
An invoice will be issued and payment is to be made payable to LADSE at time or delivery of documents. For questions related to FOIA requests, please call 708.354.5730 to speak to the FOIA Officer.
Above fees are based on the actual cost for reproducing records and does not include the cost of any search for, review of records, or personnel costs associated with finding or reproducing records. Documents shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where LADSE determines that a waiver or reduction is in the public interest. When an individual requests to inspect documents they will be notified of the time at which they will be available to be viewed. Such documents shall be held at LADSE for a period of 3 business days after the schedule viewing date. If the requestor is unable to review the documents within this time period, he/she must call the FOIA officer to arrange an alternate date for review. If the requester does not come to LADSE during the four-day time period or fails to request an extension of time a new FOIA request must be initiated.
