Section 1828.603  Reduction and Waiver of Fees

a)         Fees may be reduced or waived by the Agency if the requester states the specific purpose for the request and indicates that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest.  In making this determination, the Agency shall consider the following:

1)         Whether the principal purpose of the request is to disseminate information regarding the health, safety and welfare or the legal rights of the general public; and

2)         Whether the principal purpose of the request is personal or commercial benefit.  For purposes of this subsection, "commercial benefit" shall not apply to requests made by news media when the principal purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information regarding the health, safety, and welfare or the legal rights of the general public (Section 6(c) of FOIA)

b)         Public records will be provided without charge to federal, State, and municipal agencies, Constitutional officers and members of the General Assembly, and not-for-profit organizations providing evidence of good standing with the Secretary of State's Office.

c)         Except to the extent that the General Assembly expressly provides, statutory fees applicable to copies of public records when furnished in a paper format shall not be applicable to those records when furnished to a requester in an electronic format.  (Section 6(a) of FOIA)

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 9028, effective June 22, 2010)