Freedom of Information Act requests (FOIAs) are the backbone of investigative reporting. The FOIA law states that the public has a right to access documents collected on their behalf. FOIA allows reporters to hold the government and its public bodies accountable, but requests often get lost in layers of bureaucracy, delay and often outright denial.
At DePaul University’s
Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence, we understand that public records are critical for reporters to be able to hold the government accountable. We aim to be a resource for Midwest reporters and newsrooms in all of their FOIA pursuits. Here you can find
FOIA best practices, local and
federal laws, and direct links to
state FOIA resources.
How to File a FOIA Request
See a step-by-step guide to file a FOIA request, plus other FOIA best practices and resources for journalists.
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State FOIA Laws
Find individual FOIA laws and resources for Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
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Contact Us
If you can’t find the information you need or have a specific FOIA-related question, please contact us directly. We will do our best to help you navigate your FOIA request and hold your government accountable. Email us at
cjie@depaul.edu.