Federal Freedom of Information Act

“A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge
gives.” – James Madison (Letter to W.T. Barry, Aug. 4, 1822, in G.P. Hunt, ed., IX The Writings of James Madison 103 (1910)).

The Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed by Congress in 1966 and amended in 1974. Based on the premise argued by Madison that openness in government will assist citizens in making the informed choices necessary to a democracy, FOIA creates procedures whereby any member of the public may obtain the records of the agencies of the federal government.

Before enactment of the FOIA in 1966, the burden was on the individual to establish a right to examine these government records: there were no statutory guidelines or procedures to help a person seeking information nor were there judicial remedies for those denied access. FOIA establishes a presumption that records in the possession of agencies and departments of the executive branch of the U.S. Government are accessible to the people: the ``need to know'' standard has been replaced by a ``right to know'' doctrine.

Illinois Freedom of Information Act links and documents:

Text of Statute
Federal Freedom of Information Act Guide
Department of Justice Home Page
Department of Justice Freedom of Information Act Documents

Helpful Links:

Freedom of Information Center