How to File a Freedom of Information Act Request
Members of the public may request to inspect or obtain copies of public records maintained by Calhoun County pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.
For more information about the types of records maintained by Calhoun County, please review the Types or Categories of Public Records.
Public Information Required by 5 ILCS 140/4
In accordance with Section 4 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/4, Calhoun County provides the following information regarding its purpose, organization, office locations, operating budget, approximate number of employees, boards, commissions, committees, and the process for requesting public records.
Calhoun County Government provides county-level public services to residents, property owners, businesses, visitors, and other public bodies within Calhoun County, Illinois. The County operates through the County Board, elected officials, appointed department heads, departments, boards, commissions, and committees to provide public services including public records, elections, assessments, treasury services, court services, law enforcement, public health, highway maintenance, probation, building inspection, legal services, and other governmental functions.
Functional Subdivisions
| Subdivision | Name | Title / Department |
|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County Board | Phil Robeen | Chairman |
| Calhoun County Board | Terry Woelfel | Commissioner |
| Calhoun County Board | Deann Fester | Commissioner |
| Calhoun County Board | Mary Louise Clark | Commissioner |
| Calhoun County Board | Patrick Simon | Commissioner |
| Appointed Department Head | Kyle Godar | Highway Department |
| Appointed Department Head | Ashley Campbell | Probation |
| Appointed Department Head | Megan Eilerman | Health Department |
| Elected Official | Tricia Margherio | Circuit Clerk |
| Elected Official | Amy Friedel | County Clerk and Recorder |
| Elected Official | Chris Behrens | Building Inspector |
| Elected Official | Lucas Fanning | State’s Attorney |
| Elected Official | Supervisor of Assessments | |
| Elected Official | Lisa Roth | Treasurer |
| Elected Official | Zach Hardin | Sheriff’s Department |
Annual Operating Budget
Calhoun County’s annual operating budget is approximately $6,730,305.
Office Locations
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk and Recorder Office | 301 South County Road P.O. Box 187 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-9700 Ext. 2 |
| Supervisor of Assessment Office | 301 South County Road P.O. Box 307 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-9700 Ext. 1 |
| Treasurer’s Office | 301 South County Road P.O. Box 306 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-9700 Ext. 3 |
| Circuit Clerk | 101 North County Road P.O. Box 486 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-2451 Ext. 1 |
| State’s Attorney Office | 101 North County Road P.O. Box 501 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-9013 |
| Building Inspector Office | 301 South County Road Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-9700 Ext. 4 |
| Sheriff’s Department | 301 South County Road P.O. Box 645 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-2417 |
| County Highway Department | 19465 Illinois River Road Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-2600 |
| Calhoun County Health Department | 210 French Street P.O. Box 158 Hardin, IL 62047 |
618-576-2428 |
Approximate Number of Employees
Calhoun County has approximately ## full-time and part-time employees.
Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Councils
| Board, Commission, Committee, or Council | Membership / County Representatives |
|---|---|
| Building 2 Committee | Commissioner |
| Finance 2 Committee | Commissioner Deann Fester |
| Personnel 2 Committee | Commissioners Patrick Simon |
| Planning Commission | Commissioners Patrick Simon and Deann Fester |
| Zoning Board | Commissioners Patrick Simon and Deann Fester |
| Ambulance Board 2 | Commissioner Patrick Simon and Chairman Phil Robeen |
| Job Center Board | Commissioners Deann Fester |
| Madison County Economic Development Board | Chairman Phil Robeen and Commissioner Deann Fester |
| Solid Waste Management Board 1 | Commissioner Deann Fester and Commissioner Terry Woelfel |
| Rural Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs Board 1 | Commissioners Patrick Simon and Deann Fester |
| Health Board 2 | Commissioners Terry Woelfel and Deann Fester |
| LEPC 1 | Chairman Phil Robeen and Commissioner Deann Fester |
| Illinois Valley Board 1 | Commissioner Jamie Bailey |
| Two Rivers RC & D1 | Commissioners Patrick Simon and Deann Fester |
| ETSB/E911 1 | Commissioner Terry Woelfel and Steve Miller |
| Emergency Food and Shelter 2 | Commissioners Patrick Simon and Deann Fester |
| FEMA | Chairman Phil Robeen |
| Historic Preservation Committee | Tina Pluester, Cindy Klocke, Megan Simon, Kathy Bater, and John Clark |
FOIA Request Form
A FOIA Request Form may also be obtained from the Calhoun County Clerk’s Office. Use of the form is not required, but it may assist in ensuring that sufficient information is provided to process your request.
Process for Submitting Requests (Per Section 4(b), 5 ILCS 140/4)
All FOIA requests must be submitted in writing and should include the following information:
- The name, mailing address, and contact information of the requester.
- A description of the public records being requested sufficient to allow the County to locate the records.
- Whether the request is for commercial purposes, as defined by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
To request inspection of records or copies of records maintained by Calhoun County, please submit your written request by mail, email, fax, or personal delivery to:
FOIA Officer: Lucas J. Fanning
Calhoun County State’s Attorney101 N. County Road
P.O. Box 501
Hardin, Illinois 62047
Phone/Fax: (618) 576-9013
Email: Lucas.Fanning@calhouncountyil.gov
Description of Records Requested
Please be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking. You may indicate whether you would like:
- Copies of the requested records, or
- To inspect the records in person.
Under FOIA, you have the right to request either inspection or copies of public records.
The Freedom of Information Act is intended to allow the public to obtain or inspect existing records. It does not require public bodies to answer questions or create new records in response to a request. If you wish to ask questions about a county office or program, please contact that office directly.
Response Time
Calhoun County will respond to FOIA requests within the timeframes required by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Under most circumstances, a response will be provided within five (5) business days after receipt of the request, unless an extension of time is permitted under the Act.
Fees
Fees for copies of records will be assessed in accordance with Section 6 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the County’s published fee schedule.
| Record Type / Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First 50 pages of black-and-white, letter or legal-size copies | No charge |
| Additional black-and-white, letter or legal-size copies | $0.15 per page |
| Oversized photocopies | $0.40 per page |
| Color copies or copies in a size other than letter or legal | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of the recording medium, if applicable |
| Transcription of taped or electronic material | Actual cost of reproduction, excluding personnel costs |
| Certification of records | $1.00 |
| Mailed records | Applicable postage may be added |
Commercial Requests
Requests made for commercial purposes may be subject to additional provisions under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. If records are requested for commercial or solicitation purposes, the requester should include a statement identifying the commercial purpose of the request.
Fee Waivers
Requesters may request a waiver or reduction of copying fees. To request a waiver, please include a statement such as the following in your written request:
“I request a waiver of all fees associated with this FOIA request.”
The request must also include a specific explanation of how disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest, rather than primarily for the personal or commercial benefit of the requester.
Additional Information
Certain records or portions of records may be exempt from disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act or other applicable laws. When records are withheld or redacted, the County will provide a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.