Illinois Freedom of Information Act
How to Request Use of Force Reports in Illinois
You can ask a Illinois police department for use of force reports under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Response timeline: The agency must comply with or deny a request within 5 business days, and may extend once by up to 5 more business days for specific reasons (5 ILCS 140/3(d) and 3(e)). Missing the deadline counts as a denial you can appeal to the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: 5 ILCS 140 (opens in a new tab).
Write your Illinois request
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get use of force reports from a Illinois police department?
- You can request use of force reports under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Some records may be withheld or redacted under exemptions in the law, for example for open investigations or privacy.
- What should I include in a request for use of force reports?
- Name the department, describe the records as precisely as you can (date, time, location, officer name or badge number, case number), ask for electronic copies, and ask for a fee estimate first.
- How long will it take?
- The response timeline under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) is: The agency must comply with or deny a request within 5 business days, and may extend once by up to 5 more business days for specific reasons (5 ILCS 140/3(d) and 3(e)). Missing the deadline counts as a denial you can appeal to the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.