2015 FOIA database analysis

Freddy Martinez filed this request with the Chicago Police Department of Chicago, IL.
Submitted Feb. 3, 2016
Est. Completion None
Status
Withdrawn

Communications

From: Freddy Martinez

Subject: Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request: 2015 FOIA database analysis

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 to 11), I hereby request the following records:

We are seeking the following public records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act the following records:

In reading a report titled "The Death of David Koschman Report of the Special Prosecutor Dan K. Webb" (LINK:
https://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/macarthur/projects/police/documents/SpecialProsecutorReportKoschmanSept182013Feb42014.pdf)
we found the below footnotes on internal Chicago Police policies for FOIA requests in the notes:

Footnote 710:
The e-mail “from” line simply said: foia@chicagopolice.org. The function of CPD’s FOIA Department is to handle all requests for information, including requests from the media. O’Brien, Rory, Kroll Interview Rep. (Proffer) at 2 (Jan. 15, 2013). Since 2010, the department has accepted
FOIA requests through e-mail, which can arrive via links on CPD and city’s websites. No matter the source, the e-mail requests are routed to a single inbox that all FOIA officers can access. When requests are received they are printed out, time and date stamped, entered into the
department’s FOIA log (a database used to track who is working on a request and when a response is sent), and placed in a bin. Individual FOIA officers then pull requests from the bin to process them. An officer typically handles five requests at a time. Sandoval, Matthew, Kroll Interview Rep. (Proffer) at 2-3 (Jan. 11, 2013).

In processing a request, the officer first determines what exactly is being requested, whether a responsive record exists, and whether any records are exempt from release. FOIA officers are also responsible for redacting information as necessary — e.g., any information that would
invade someone’s privacy or allow a witness to be identified. "

Therefore we are seeking a copy of the FOIA logs from the entire year of 2015 in a database that we can easily search through. You can export it into a spreadsheet if you'd prefer. We have previously sought similar records in the past and the FOIA officer responded with this:

"It would be burdensome to review [all FOIA requests] to determine the appropriate redactions. The way I interpret your request, it seems you are simply requesting three items from the database: (1. FOIA request number 2. When a request came in and 3. When the response was sent out. )
Would you agree to accept the database displaying those three items? "

We agree that this is a correct enough interpretation for our request.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. We look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires

Thanks
Lucy Parsons Labs

From: Freddy Martinez

Subject: Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request: 2015 FOIA database analysis

Email

FOIA officers,

You may withdraw this request because it appears that we requested this already via MuckRock on 01/16/2016.

Thanks,
Freddy
Director, Lucy Parsons Labs.

From: FOIA

Subject: RE: Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request: 2015 FOIA database analysis

Email

Mr. Martinez,

We are hoping to discuss this FOIA request with you at your earliest convenience. Please contact our office regarding clarification of your Feb 3, 2016 request. If possible, please email us your telephone number so that we may assist you promptly and avoid any miscommunication. Thank you for your assistance.

FOIA Section

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